Benedikt Rottensteiner wants to assert himself at FCS. © sn

Benedikt Rottensteiner: This is what makes the new FCS talent tick

At the end of April, Benedikt Rottensteiner signed his first professional contract with FC Südtirol. During the training camp in Ridnaun Valley, we took a closer look at the young Rittner.

July 22, 2024

From: dl

Benedikt Rottensteiner was captain of the FCS Primavera last year. Now the 19-year-old wants to make the jump from the junior team to the professional team. "As a young player, it is of course important to play as much as possible. If that doesn't work out in the Serie B team, a loan in the winter (for example to Serie C) is certainly an option. But it could also be that I will play in the Primavera from time to time," said Rottensteiner in an interview with SportNews in the Hotel Schneeberg.

How did Rottensteiner actually come to FC Südtirol? “During a friendly match between Ritten and Barbian, Reinhold Harrasser (long-time goalkeeping coach of FCS) met me by chance. Note d. Red.), who was refereeing the game. I was still an offensive player then. Seven years ago I moved to FC Südtirol - also with the help of Hannes Fink. I've been playing here since second year of middle school."

Big dreams

When asked about his position on the field, Rottensteiner explained: "In my youth I played in attack. Over time I was retrained as a left-back. Now I play in the middle. So in a back four I mostly play the position of left centre-back."

Benedikt Rottensteiner (here a year ago) is a real defensive giant.

Wouldn't a purely South Tyrolean FCS central defense together with Raphael Kofler (he is right-footed) be an obvious option for the future? "That would be great, of course. We get on very well and often played together in defense when we were young," said Rottensteiner. His favorite club is FC Barcelona. As a defender, he is taking a closer look at Ronald Araujo. At FCS, he was particularly impressed by Giovanni Zaro (now at Modena).

“Kofler-Rottensteiner the FCS central defense of the future? That would be great, of course.” Benedikt Rottensteiner

When talking about Rottensteiner's strengths, a quick look at the stature of the young South Tyrolean is enough. "I would say that because of my height I am very strong in the air and I have a good left foot," explained Rottensteiner about his strengths on the pitch. The central defender would like to establish himself at FCS first. In the long term, Rottensteiner even dreams of Serie A: "I would prefer to play with FC Südtirol."