Michael Rensing

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Michael Rensing

| image = Michael-Rensing-2015-07.jpg

| caption = Rensing with Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2015

| full_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|5|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Lingen, West Germany

| height = {{convert|1.90|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1988–2000 | youthclubs1 = TuS Lingen

| youthyears2 = 2000–2002 | youthclubs2 = Bayern Munich

| years1 = 2002–2010 | clubs1 = Bayern Munich II | caps1 = 114 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2003–2010 | clubs2 = Bayern Munich | caps2 = 53 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2010–2012 | clubs3 = 1. FC Köln{{cite web | url = http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/rensingmichael/ | title = Michael Rensing | language = de | website = fussballdaten.de | access-date = 1 December 2015}}

| caps3 = 49 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2012 | clubs4 = Bayer Leverkusen II | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2012–2013 | clubs5 = Bayer Leverkusen | caps5 = 2 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2013–2020 | clubs6 = Fortuna Düsseldorf | caps6 = 132 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2017–2020 | clubs7 = Fortuna Düsseldorf II | caps7 = 4 | goals7 = 0

| totalcaps = 355

| totalgoals = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2004–2006

| nationalteam1 = Germany U21

| nationalcaps1 = 18

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| pcupdate = 27 June 2020

| ntupdate =

}}

Michael Rensing (born 14 May 1984) is a German former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He has played for Bayern Munich, 1. FC Köln, Bayer Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Club career

=Early career=

Born to a German father and a Serbian mother,{{cite web|title=Bayern in Belgrade |accessdate=26 October 2007 |date=24 October 2007 |publisher=fc-redstar.net |url=http://www.fc-redstar.net/newscontent.aspx?cultureID=1&ID=1371&News=1371 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026084645/http://www.fc-redstar.net/newscontent.aspx?cultureID=1&ID=1371&News=1371 |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2007 }} Rensing joined Bayern in 2000 from TuS Lingen,{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2004-05/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203035029/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2004-05/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} and went on to develop his talent in the club's youth sides.

He made two appearances for the reserve side in the 2001–02 season{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/rensingmichael/2002/|publisher=Fussballdaten.de|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} and spending the 2002–03 season in the Regionalliga Süd, making 34 league appearances and a cup appearance,{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing » Club matches|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/michael-rensing/2/|publisher=World Football|accessdate=27 August 2015}} and won a place in the UEFA Champions League squad at the start of the following campaign as he moved up the Bayern pecking order to become Oliver Kahn's deputy.

=Bayern Munich=

File:Persepolis VS Bayern Munich in 13 January 2006.jpg in 2006]]

Rensing made his Bundesliga debut on 21 February 2004, playing the entire 90 minutes of the 1–0 home win against Hamburger SV.{{cite news|title=Mit Real im Kopf zum glücklichen Sieg|url=https://www.kicker.de/bayern-gegen-hsv-2004-bundesliga-635249/analyse|access-date=27 August 2015|magazine=Kicker|date=19 February 2004|language=German}} He also made an appearance against Schalke 04.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2003-04/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208091529/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2003-04/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}}

Rensing saw action in four Bundesliga matches and two cup matches in 2004–05 season and six Bundesliga matches in the 2005–06 season,{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2005-06/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202125331/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2005-06/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} and saw his first Champions League nod for an injured Oliver Kahn against Milan on 21 February 2006 (Milan keeper Dida was injured during the match, so both sides finished with reserve goalkeepers in goal), which ended in a 1–1 draw.{{cite news|title=Shevchenko egalisiert Ballacks herrliches Führungstor|url=https://www.kicker.de/bayern-gegen-milan-2006-champions-league-748642/analyse|access-date=27 August 2015|magazine=Kicker|date=17 February 2006|language=German}} On 15 April 2006, Rensing was involved in a strange incident prior to a match against Arminia Bielefeld. He took a warm-up shot that struck goalkeeper Oliver Kahn blackening his eye and forcing him to sit out the game. Rensing played in Kahn's place and Bayern went on to win the contest 2–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/match/3030735 |title=Bayern Munich vs Arminia Bielefeld |date=15 April 2006 |accessdate=28 August 2010 |work=The Guardian |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323103521/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/3030735 |archivedate=23 March 2010 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/germany/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/06/04/15/SOCCER_Ger-Bayern_Nightlead.html |title=Bayern Stay Four Clear |accessdate=28 August 2010 |publisher=sportinglife.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605030444/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/germany/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed%2F06%2F04%2F15%2FSOCCER_Ger-Bayern_Nightlead.html |archivedate=5 June 2011 }} In the 2006–07 season, he made a Bundesliga appearance against Borussia Mönchengladbach,{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2006-07/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203074534/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2006-07/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} two cup appearances, a league cup appearance against Schalke 04,{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing » League Cup 2006|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/michael-rensing/ligapokal-2006/bayern-muenchen/3/|publisher=World Football|accessdate=27 August 2015}} and a Champions League match against Milan.

As Kahn moved towards the end of his career, Rensing gradually received more playing time, covering for Kahn in his final 2007–08 season on 10 occasions in the Bundesliga,{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2007-08/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202154843/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2007-08/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} once in the Cup, once in the league cup, and six in the UEFA Cup. Following Kahn's retirement in 2008, Rensing was given a chance as Bayern's first-choice goalkeeper, but was unable to cement his spot. He made 26 appearances in the Bundesliga, four cup matches, seven Champions League matches, and three reserve team matches.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2008-09/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202202345/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2008-09/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} Following a poor start to the 2009–10 season, his experienced teammate Hans-Jörg Butt replaced him as the Bavarian club's first-choice goalkeeper. Rensing had played on matchdays one, two, and three.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2009-10/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202194613/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2009-10/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} Although Rensing made a half-time substitute appearance for the unwell Butt in a 3–2 win at Werder Bremen on 23 January 2010{{cite news|title=Dramatik, Klasse und Traumtore krönen den Klassiker|url=https://www.kicker.de/bremen-gegen-bayern-2010-bundesliga-938192/analyse|access-date=27 August 2015|magazine=Kicker|date=23 January 2010|language=German}} and made three appearances in the DFB-Pokal, and three matches for the reserve team. Bayern opted not to renew his contract at the end of the season.

In November 2010, Rensing joined Leicester City on trial{{cite web | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6480874,00.html | title = Foxes look at Rensing | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 1 November 2010 | accessdate = 4 November 2010}} but rejected the subsequent contract offer.{{cite web | url = http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga1/bundesliga-arbeitsloser-rensing-sagt-leicester-city-ab_aid_570196.html | title = Arbeitsloser Rensing sagt Leicester City ab | work = FOCUS Online |trans-title=Jobless Rensing Rejects Leicester City | publisher = Focus | date = 9 November 2010 | accessdate = 10 November 2010 | language = German}}

=1. FC Köln=

On 21 December 2010, Rensing moved to 1. FC Köln on a six-month contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.fc-koeln.de/index.php?id=3103&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=6170&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=2327|title=FC verpflichtet Michael Rensing|work=1. FC Köln|accessdate=21 December 2010|date=21 December 2010|language=German|trans-title=FC signs Michael Rensing|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129024619/http://www.fc-koeln.de/index.php?id=3103|archivedate=29 November 2010}} He made 17 league appearances in the 2010–11 season.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2010-11/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203055730/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2010-11/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2013|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} Following his half-season at 1. FC Köln, Rensing was voted the No.3 keeper in Germany by kicker sports magazine.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/926413/schalke-profit-from-bayern%27s-desire?cc=5901|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611042739/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/926413/schalke-profit-from-bayern%27s-desire?cc=5901|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 June 2011|title=Schalke profit from Bayern's desire | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date= 7 June 2011 | accessdate = 27 April 2013 | first = Uli | last = Hesse}} Due to his strong performance, Rensing's contract with 1. FC Köln was extended two years to 2013. He made 32 league appearances and an appearance in the Cup during the 2011–12 season.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2011-12/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805091420/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/2bundesliga/vereine/2011-12/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2014|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} However, he was released by Köln upon the club's relegation in 2012. He finished his Köln career with 49 league appearances.

=Bayer Leverkusen=

Rensing signed for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in August 2012, to serve as backup to Bernd Leno. In his only season for the club, he played in two league matches and a cup match for the first team and a league match for the reserve team.{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2012-13/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130725210824/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/2012-13/27824/vereinsspieler_michael-rensing.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 25 July 2013 | title = Rensing, Michael | language = German | magazine=Kicker | accessdate = 10 July 2014}}

=Fortuna Düsseldorf=

file:Michael Rensing in action.jpg

Since 1 July 2013, Rensing has played for Fortuna Düsseldorf. Before the first match of the season Rensing stormed out of training and was thus dropped from the team for that match. The argument was concerning Fabian Giefer being selected as first-choice keeper above him. Because of this he was told that he would not be picked for league games due to his "childish reaction" over the incident. He ended up playing in five matches during the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=https://www.kicker.de/michael-rensing/spieler/2-bundesliga/2013-14/fortuna-duesseldorf|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} In the 2014–15 season, Rensing has played in 12 of the first 13 games of the season in the 2. Bundesliga, and has also played in the single DFB-Pokal game.{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/michael-rensing/spieler/2-bundesliga/2014-15/fortuna-duesseldorf | title = Michael Rensing | language = de | magazine=Kicker | accessdate = 10 November 2014}} He finished the season with 24 league matches played. Rensing continued being the first choice keeper during the 2015–16 season{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=https://www.kicker.de/michael-rensing/spieler/2-bundesliga/2015-16/fortuna-duesseldorf|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=27 August 2015|language=German}} with the exception of the first round cup match against Rot Weiss Essen where Lars Unnerstall played.{{cite news|title=Düsseldorf zieht in Essen im Elfmeterschießen weiter|url=https://www.kicker.de/essen-gegen-duesseldorf-2015-dfb-pokal-2841070/spielbericht|access-date=27 August 2015|magazine=Kicker|date=9 August 2015}} Rensing finished the 2016–17 season with 34 league appearances and two cup appearances.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=https://www.kicker.de/michael-rensing/spieler/2-bundesliga/2016-17/fortuna-duesseldorf|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=1 February 2018|language=German}} Rensing started the 2017–18 season by starting the first three league matches and the opening round of the German Cup.{{cite web|title=Michael Rensing|url=https://www.kicker.de/michael-rensing/spieler/2-bundesliga/2017-18/fortuna-duesseldorf|magazine=Kicker|location=Germany|accessdate=1 February 2018|language=German}} Rensing picked up an injury against 1. FC Kaiserslautern.{{cite news|title=Rippen: Rensing bricht Training ab – und fällt länger aus|url=https://www.kicker.de/rippen_rensing-bricht-training-ab---und-faellt-laenger-aus-709363/artikel|access-date=1 February 2018|magazine=Kicker|date=26 October 2017|language=German}}

International career

Having been Germany's number one goalkeeper at the U-19 level, Rensing joined the hosts' squad at the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals, although he did not get off the bench. However, he had since become the first choice at U-21, helping his team qualify for the 2006 Euro Under-21 Championship. He is eligible to play both for Germany and Serbia.

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club	rowspan="2"\|Season	colspan="3"\|League	colspan="2"\|Cup	colspan="2"\|League Cup	colspan="2"\|Continental	colspan="2"\|Total	rowspan="2"\|{{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference}}
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="8"\|Bayern Munich II	2001–02	Regionalliga Süd	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	2	0
2002–03	Regionalliga Süd	34	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	35	0
2003–04	Regionalliga Süd	15	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	15	0
2004–05	Regionalliga Süd	18	0	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	22	0
2005–06	Regionalliga Süd	22	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	22	0
2006–07	Regionalliga Süd	20	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	20	0
2009–10	3. Liga	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	3	0
colspan="2"\|Totals	114	0	5	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	119	0	—
rowspan="8"\|Bayern Munich	2003–04	Bundesliga	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
2004–05	Bundesliga	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
2005–06	Bundesliga	6	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	8	0
2006–07	Bundesliga	1	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	5	0
2007–08	Bundesliga	10	0	1	0	1	0	6	0	18	0
2008–09	Bundesliga	26	0	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	7	0	37	0
2009–10	Bundesliga	4	0	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	7	0
colspan="2"\|Totals	53	0	12	0	3	0	15	0	83	0	—
rowspan="3"\|1. FC Köln	2010–11	Bundesliga	17	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	17	0
2011–12	Bundesliga	32	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	33	0
colspan="2"\|Totals	49	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	50	0	—
Bayer Leverkusen	2012–13	Bundesliga	2	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0	4	0
Bayer Leverkusen II	2012–13	Regionalliga West	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	1	0
rowspan="6"\|Fortuna Düsseldorf	2013–14	2. Bundesliga	5	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	5	0
2014–15	2. Bundesliga	24	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	25	0
2015–16	2. Bundesliga	34	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	34	0
2016–17	2. Bundesliga	34	0	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	36	0
2017–18	2. Bundesliga	3	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	4	0
colspan="2"\|Totals	100	0	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	104	0	—
Fortuna Düsseldorf II	2017–18	Regionalliga West	4	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	4	0
colspan="3"\|Career totals	323	0	23	0	3	0	16	0	365	0	—

Honours

;Bayern Munich

Bundesliga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10
DFB-Pokal: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2009–10
DFB-Ligapokal: 2007
UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2009–10{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8697017.stm |title=Bayern Munich 0–2 Inter Milan |first=Sam |last=Lyon |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2010 |access-date=31 May 2021}}