Manuel Neuer returns to the DFB goal after 18 months and is in tournament form. Until he makes a mistake that has no consequences and raises doubts. But not for the national coach.
Manuel Neuer’s right arm shot up in protest. He looked anxiously towards the sideline. Not far from the halfway line, Julian Nagelsmann’s European Championship goalkeeper had to clear a pass from defender Robin Koch that was far too short. But Neuer, who had been so attentive at first, did so unnecessarily and carelessly with a chip ball that landed with the opponent. And he promptly stormed towards the empty German goal.
Luckily for Neuer, the linesman also raised his flag and indicated an offside position after Andrei Yarmolenko’s header to the sprinting Artem Dovbyk. “I didn’t even see Yarmolenko on the left,” Neuer later said of his faux pas in the 88th minute, which had no consequences in this European Championship trial run.
What’s wrong with Neuer?
If Ukraine had scored a late winning goal, Neuer – and Nagelsmann too – would have had to answer completely different questions in the Max-Morlock Stadium than after the 0-0 draw. It would have been the hot topic after the penultimate test before the home tournament. But the question of what is wrong with Neuer is still on the table shortly before the real game against Scotland.
For 87 minutes, Neuer’s comeback in goal for the DFB after 18 months “felt really good”. The 2014 world champion made several saves, as is expected of a number one at the tournament. But the final impression of the game remains.
It happened to be the 88th minute again, as it was recently in Bayern’s bitter Champions League knockout against Real Madrid. After several world-class saves, Neuer made a fatal mistake with a saveable shot. Neuer, who often played like an alien, seems to have become more fallible and normal at the age of 38. He remains a number one under observation.
Nagelsmann’s acquittal and EM prediction
Nagelsmann, of course, acquitted Neuer. “If he doesn’t get him, if he stands deeper and doesn’t play, then it’s a much bigger mistake with more serious consequences,” said the national coach. “The shock wasn’t great, because it was clear in a millisecond that the player was offside.” Nagelsmann has no doubts about Neuer. “He will play a very good European Championship, I’m sure of that,” he said before the game.
And Neuer was able to assess his 118th international match – especially without conceding a goal – as a positive all round result. In any case, he seemed proud and satisfied on Monday evening. The return to the DFB goal, the home European Championship, the eighth tournament as number one – these goals seemed unattainable for him after the serious leg fracture following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “It was a long road, a rocky road and a lot of hard work. If I hadn’t stuck with it, I wouldn’t have made it,” he said proudly in the catacombs of the stadium.
Understanding ter Stegen’s frustration: “Unfortunately it is like that”
Nagelsmann had appointed Neuer as the European Championship goalkeeper early on – and not Marc-André ter Stegen. Neuer is the winner again, but he can understand the frustration of the loser ter Stegen. “That is a well-known problem in the goalkeeper position. There has never been a coach who has let two goalkeepers play. The decision is always a difficult one. Marc knows the situation. You have to say, it is unfortunately like that, because he really is a world-class goalkeeper who has shown good performances,” said Neuer: “But that is also part of the business.”
Source: Stern
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