Kahn defends Bayern´s under-fire Rensing

Former Germany captain Oliver Kahn on Tuesday defended Bayern Munich's under-fire goalkeeper Michael Rensing who made several errors in their shock 5-2 home defeat against Werder Bremen last weekend.

“I have always said: if you build your team with youth in mind, you have to accept their may be difficulties along the way and a bumpy road,” Kahn told German tabloid Bild.

“It could have very damaging consequences if Michael is called into question now.”

Defending champions Bayern were ripped apart by Bremen last weekend with Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg scoring twice, but Kahn, who retired as Bayern goalkeeper in May, says Rensing needs time to settle into the role.

Rensing was at times brutally exposed against Bremen and has been criticised in the press here.

But Kahn, 39, says he himself did not always have it easy in Munich and dismissed calls in various newspapers here to return to Bayern's goal and replace his former understudy.

He said: “My first season (1994/95) at Bayern was a disaster up until I tore my cruciate knee ligament.

“Everything I touched there did not turn to gold, quite the opposite for me.

“And at that time, people called for my predecessor Raimond Aumann to return.”

Kahn advised Rensing to “not think about the (Bremen) game too much” and said the 24-year-old will “work hard in training and get rid of all the annoyance and anger' after the defeat”.

And Bayern's former goalkeeping coach Sepp Maier is further convinced of Rensing.

“We must give him time,” ex-Germany shot-stopper and 1974 World Cup winner Maier told Munich newspaper AZ.

“Michael has the talent, but of course the experience is still missing.

“I can only ask people: leave Michael in peace, give him a break.”

Rensing's first chance for redemption is on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena when Bayern play Nuremberg in the German Cup.