Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is taking Germany by storm as the Bayern Munich shot stopper was handed a golden opportunity to start for the international powerhouse this past week both in the Bundesliga and Champions League and he’s taking full advantage of it. The 24-year old Tel Aviv native joined the 6-time European Champion from Maccabi Tel Aviv back in August of 2023 and waited patiently behind world class ‘keeper Manuel Neuer before finally receiving his chance of a lifetime when the German international broke a rib and will be out until the beginning of the new year.

Peretz made his first appearance with the club on December 4th when he came on as a substitute for the red carded Neuer against Bayer Leverkusen in DFB-Pokal German Cup play in a game that ended on the wrong side of a 1-0 score line for the Sabra’s squad. He then made his first full start for the club in the Bundesliga just days later versus Heidenheim in a game that Bayern picked up a 4-2 win with both goals not having been the fault of the ‘keeper.

From there it was making his first ever start in the grandest stage in continental competition, the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk in what was a 5-1 comeback victory on the road for Peretz who conceded the opening goal of the game early on in the 5th minute of play.

While Peretz is not the first Israeli ‘keeper to have started in Champions League play, he may be perhaps the first to have been between the pipes for one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.

“It’s a dream come true,” an excited Peretz said immediately following the game. “Playing in the Champions League I couldn’t be happier and I was able to win after a difficult start to the match. It’s really exciting. There was a lot of time to play after giving up the early goal and we continued with our style and game plan. We continued to believe and play hard to take the win.”

“No victory is taken for granted. We work hard on the attack and on defense and we deserve to be happy. It is fun that I was able to show my ability. I always believed in myself, but when you come and play against players and teams of this level, it adds up.”

Peretz grew up in the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth system and it was clear early on that he was ticketed for greatness and helped the yellow-and-blue advance all the way to the UEFA Conference League Knockout Round Playoffs in the 2021-22 season. But for the young up and coming ‘keeper, featuring for Bayern is no doubt a chance to take his game to the next level.

However, since joining the Bundesliga giants, Peretz suffered a minor injury and also had to wait his turn behind Neuer.

“It’s challenging to be away from the game sometimes,”Peretz said. “That’s both in terms of footwork and in terms of saves. There were no competitive games for me to play in, nothing. But suddenly, in one moment you have to jump from zero to one hundred.”

Peretz also spoke about how he prepared for the game against Ukraine’s top team, “I was very excited. It’s not every day that you get to play in the Champions League. I woke up in the morning as I usually do with a ton of excitement but also kept to my normal habits. I listened to my body, that’s what I like to do. I wanted to come in here and play my game.”

Vincent Kompany, Bayern’s Head Coach was more than impressed with Peretz’s showing, “It’s not easy to be a goalkeeper at Bayern Munich, you need character. Every time you see that in him and he brings something to the team. I’m happy with his performance and we needed that, because we trust everyone here. He helped us a lot.”

There had been some talk that Bayern would be looking to bring in another ‘keeper as an insurance policy for the club in case Peretz would perhaps falter, however, just prior to the game, the Israeli received a shot of encouragement from the technical director Max Eberl.

“We’re not going to bring in a goalkeeper in January. We have a wonderful substitute goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz. He played very well in the cup and against Heidenheim and now he’s proving himself in the Champions League. In the Israeli national team, he had great saves against Belgium and France and we’re not worried about him right now. Manuel Neuer will be back and he’s still one of the best in the world. That’s why we don’t need more goalkeepers in this position.”

Peretz and Neuer are very close with the former soaking all of the latter’s know how and knowledge of the game. “I want to wish Manuel Neuer the best of health. He is a very good friend of mine, supports me and helps me a lot on and off the pitch. I grew up emulating him and he has been my role model since I can remember myself as a goalkeeper. It is amazing to discover the person and the personality behind him. For me, it is amazing. From him being my idol, we have become best friends.”

Just last month, Peretz, who is engaged to singer Noa Kirel, featured for the Israel National Team and was superb in goal against Belgium and France as he helped the blue-and-white take 4 points in their final two Nations League games, “It’s always great to appear with the national team, to represent the country and to play these types of games all over the world. We are able to stand toe-to-toe against everyone, really, we can do something special and achieve a lot.”

As for what Peretz and his Bayern teammates, they always want to reach for the gold with winning it all as always being the target, “The goal is to reach the final, we want to win the tournament. In the new system of the Champions League, you have to win every game, you can go up and down five places after each victory.”