It may have been a season full of controversy, but for Massimo Oddo, joining Bayern Munich has been among the best decisions of his career. On a season-long loan from AC Milan, Oddo has seen Jurgen Klinsmann come and go - and experience Champions League humiliation at the hands of finalists Barcelona. But despite all the upheaval, Bayern are still in with a shout for the Bundesliga title and for Oddo, it's been a year that's helped him to fall in love with the game again.
"Germany is great," says Oddo, "it's a happy life for me here. Away from the game, you have fun here and on the field there's probably less tactics (than in Italy) and more goals are scored."
For all his enjoyment, Oddo admits he sees himself returning to Serie A sooner rather than later.
"I am Italian, I've played many years in Italy and I could very well return because I think the German experience is only a break for me."
Even if he isn't recalled by Milan next term, Oddo can count on some of Italy's biggest clubs queuing to sign him. But despite his popularity, Oddo is convinced that doesn't extend to the national team and Italy coach Marcello Lippi.
A World Cup winner in 2006, Oddo now says: "My time with the national team I think is finally over, mainly because since he returned, coach Lippi has never shown interest in me.
"Perhaps it is right?" concedes the right-back, "after all, I have reached a certain age, there are some young and promising players coming through and Lippi, who is a great coach and knows what he wants, could be thinking about them for the future."
A former captain of Lazio, Oddo still has close ties to the Rome club and was delighted to see his ex-teammates win the Coppa Italia last week.
"The match on Wednesday was an important victory for Lazio because it allowed them to qualify directly for Europe," said Oddo. "The Europa League from next year will be even more beautiful and bring more money to the coffers of the club.
"The president of Lazio, Claudio Lotito, in recent years has introduced proper management to the club. He took a club that was crushed and brought it back to health. Now I think that Lazio, financially, is more robust: it has reached an important goal, as it did so two seasons ago and last year in qualifying for the Champions League. The reality is that it is definitely improving."
Oddo's links with Lazio extend to former sports director Walter Sabatini, who is now in charge of transfers at Palermo.
"Walter Sabatini is one the few out there who really understands football.
"A few months ago I was called by Sabatini as he wanted information from me about my teammate Jose Sosa," revealed Oddo. "He's an important player who has had difficulties since coming from a different league.
"Now, however, he is playing with continuity, especially with the new coach and is trying to demonstrate his abilities, which are undoubted." Ditto Massimo Oddo. At Bayern, he's had the opportunity to again show why the Rossoneri were so determined to sign him. Now with 12 months of consistent football under his belt, the World Cup winner has reminded all in Serie A.
