Germany is a happy goalkeeper country. There is suddenly a question mark behind the basic principles of football. Manuel Neuer’s series of mistakes has also surprised the European Championship competitors. Nagelsmann must be consistent.
Manuel Neuer had an important message. But shortly before the European Championship kick-off, it was not about his mysterious series of mishaps, which is also causing problems for national coach Julian Nagelsmann. In an Instagram video, Germany’s suddenly controversial number one sent a call to all fans for the European elections on the national football player’s weekend off.
In the DFL Foundation clip, the goalkeeper described “representing his opinion”, “actively participating in decisions” and “exerting influence” as important democratic achievements. Neuer has the national coach’s unwavering vote to thank for the fact that he remains the first choice even at the home tournament.
No matter how loud the murmurings may be about the 38-year-old’s latest mistake in the last European Championship test match in the 2:1 win against Greece. No matter how surprised fans and experts are about the weaknesses that are unusual in the greatest German goalkeeper’s career, Nagelsmann is forced to stick with Neuer for several reasons before the opening game on Friday (9 p.m./ZDF/MagentaTV) against Scotland. And he is doing so against all odds.
Basta from the national coach
“I don’t care what is being discussed in the media. It has been discussed before and countless times,” said Nagelsmann. Neuer will be playing in his eighth major tournament in a row since 2010 at the European Championships.
The appointment remains a risk for the national coach, however. The evidence suggests that the accumulation of Neuer’s errors is not an extreme statistical coincidence, nor is it a football election forecast distorted by inaccuracy. Could it be his age? At 38, movements are more difficult? Nagelsmann made it clear that he would not “tinker” with Neuer’s performance by analyzing it too much.
Others have long since taken over that role. The Neuer protocol: May 8th: Fatal mistake in the Champions League semi-final with FC Bayern at Real Madrid (1:2). May 18th: Inexplicable lack of concentration in the Bundesliga showdown at TSG Hoffenheim (2:4). June 3rd: A much too casual, risky chip ball in the first European Championship test against Ukraine (0:0) – and then on Friday the mistake against the Greeks that resulted in a goal conceded.
Don’t hide brilliant saves
This list does not mention Neuer’s many world-class saves, including in the dress rehearsal in Mönchengladbach. But what if the series doesn’t end? What if Neuer makes a mistake against Scotland or, even worse, in a knockout match? A valid question, say many observers. An invalid question, say Neuer’s colleagues and many fans.
Andreas Rettig became Neuer’s advocate in the Sport1 Doppelpass. “He is in such a condition that he is rightly number one for all of us,” said the DFB managing director. Neuer is a talent not only on the pitch: “Everyone looks up to him, not just because of his height, so he has a part in that that cannot be overestimated,” said Rettig.
His colleagues also agreed. “I think he is an incredibly good goalkeeper. I saw him for the second time at training. I am impressed by how good he is. I have never experienced anything like that in my career,” said Pascal Groß, the winning goal scorer. “If Manuel Neuer cannot radiate confidence, who else can? He is the backbone of the team,” said Maximilian Mittelstädt.
World-class backup is ready
Who else? That is precisely the crux of Nagelsmann’s argument. Because the eternal substitute Marc-André ter Stegen was already close to being replaced before the mistakes. He made no secret of the fact that, despite all his loyalty to the team, he was extremely disappointed about being demoted to number two again.
Abroad, and especially in Spain, where ter Stegen regularly performs at the top level for FC Barcelona, the German goalkeeper discussion is of course being noticed. “What’s going on with Neuer? Manuel Neuer is untouchable in Germany, but… to what extent?” asked the newspaper “Mundo deportivo”. “Fans believe the time has come for Manuel Neuer to end his international career,” predicted the English “Daily Mail”.
Nagelsmann’s vote in March for Neuer to be a regular player at the European Championships can no longer be revised. Regardless of all sporting considerations. If the Rio World Champion were demoted, the team hierarchy would be shaken at the start of the tournament, Neuer would be radically demoted. And Nagelsmann’s clear plan of a clear distribution of roles throughout the team would be reduced to absurdity. “You don’t change your goalkeeper during a tournament,” Stefan Effenberg made clear on Sunday on Sport1.
New without self-doubt
In training, insiders assure us, Neuer is consistently at the top level. His ambition, which led him to a far from easy comeback after his bad leg fracture, is undiminished. Neuer himself reacted very analytically to his mishap in his 119th international match. “Basically, I have to get the ball away better, that’s clear for me, I noticed it straight away,” he told ARD. Doubts about the European Championship? Certainly not. “I think I performed well in both games. And that’s how I’m going into the group phase,” said the 38-year-old.
Source: Stern
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