Bayern dominate a turbulent game against Leverkusen. However, Manuel Neuer has to get off the pitch – a great opportunity for the replacement goalkeeper.
After Jonas Urbig switched from 1. FC Köln to Bayern for an estimated eight million euros in winter, it seemed clear that this is a deal for the future. Urbig should be built up next to Manuel Neuer, he should learn from number one, learn things – and then at some point, after a phase in which he has settled in Munich. Then, however, came the round of 16 of the Champions League: FC Bayern’s cracker duel against Bayer Leverkusen.
Kompany admitted: “There are easier games for a debut.” But: he had experienced the young star as in the few months before. “Very quiet, very confident,” said the Munich coach, who wanted to shop “zero pressure” on Urbig’s shoulders.
How long Manuel Neuer will fail is still unclear. According to matching media reports, he contracted a muscle fiber tear in the calf and could be missing until the international break in mid -March. If this was actually the case, he would miss his team’s Bundesliga games against Bochum and Union Berlin, possibly also against St. Pauli at the end of the month. Neuer would also be canceled for the second leg in the Champions League against Leverkusen in the coming week.
It is quite likely that Urbig will have to guard the Munich box again on Saturday against VfL Bochum (from 3:30 p.m. in the live ticker at T-Online). Because the staff ceiling at Bayern on the goalkeeper position is thin.
Newly new representative Sven Ulreich was missing for a while, standing against Leverkusen on the game report sheet, but then sat in civil clothes in the grandstand. During the half-time break, he moved and took a seat on the replacement bench as a back-up. Daniel Peretz is not yet in top shape after a kidney injury. This is Urbig’s chance – and it comes earlier than expected.
Sports boss Max Eberl explained: “Regardless of the game today, we are very happy that Jonas came to us. But of course the situation showed that it was necessary. Daniel (Peretz, note, editor) is not quite back yet. Ulle (Sven Ulreich) is back, but it has not played a game for a long time.” In this context, Eberl also emphasized that Urbig had also made no game for three or four months.
However, he did not miss it. Probably also favored by the fact that Leverkusen did not have a real chance of scoring two in halftime. “Without having to make a big parade, he did it very well,” said Eberl. “It looked as if the situation didn’t make up so much.”