Being only number two behind Manuel Neuer again is a blow for Marc-André ter Stegen. He does not share the opinion of the national coach. But he still wants to fill the role at the European Championships.
Marc-André ter Stegen was hit hard by his renewed demotion to number two at the home European Championships. “It’s not a pleasant situation. But the coach made the decision and I accept it, even if I don’t agree with it,” said the FC Barcelona goalkeeper in the national football team’s team headquarters.
However, he never considered resigning from the DFB team, even after national coach Julian Nagelsmann decided to choose Manuel Neuer as the first-choice goalkeeper for the European Championships.
“I told the national coach that one is the sporting aspect, the other is the human aspect. I want everyone to be able to rely on me,” said the 32-year-old. “For me personally, it is disappointing, very disappointing. But at the end of the day you have a responsibility to the group. I will help where I can,” assured the goalkeeper.
Ter Stegen had been the number one in the DFB jersey during the long injury break after Neuer broke his leg. However, as was the case before the 2018 World Cup, he was demoted to a substitute shortly before the tournament. Ter Stegen was only number one at a tournament when the team won the Confederations Cup in 2017, when the then national coach Joachim Löw did not field many of his regular players, including Neuer. He has made 40 international appearances so far.
Compassion from Neuer
Neuer celebrated his comeback in the DFB jersey on Monday against Ukraine (0:0) after 18 months and then expressed understanding for ter Stegen’s disappointment. The relationship between the goalkeepers is good, ter Stegen assured. “It has nothing to do with Manu, we have the same position. But on a personal level it has nothing to do with him. We have a good relationship. Even if we are fighting for the same goal, it doesn’t mean that I don’t like him,” he said.
He would not speculate on Neuer being absent again. “I never wish anything to happen to him or for him to make a mistake. That’s not me. That’s not my style. It’s not easy being number two, but I’ll do what I can,” said ter Stegen. In addition to Neuer and ter Stegen, Nagelsmann’s European Championship squad also includes Oliver Baumann from TSG Hoffenheim and Alexander Nübel from VfB Stuttgart, making it the first time that there will be four goalkeepers at a major tournament.
Source: Stern
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