From the BZ editorial team
Manuel Neuer (36) retreated to the back rows to avoid looking through the windscreen of the team bus as it left the World Cup stadium.
A few minutes later, at 1:31 a.m., someone else took his place at the very front: Marc-André ter Stegen (30), DFB reserve goalkeeper: As if the FC Barcelona goalkeeper wanted to show: I’m still there and ready to take over!
Manuel Neuer and Co. on the ground Photo: REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
Is Neuer still untouchable?
The captain himself does not think about resigning. Manuel Neuer immediately after the World Cup: “As far as I’m invited and show my performance, I can rule that out.”
Even before the Costa Rica game, Neuer asked himself: giant at risk?
In the 4-2 win against Costa Rica, Neuer showed in a parade that he can still be a giant (42nd against Fuller after a mistake by Rüdiger and Raum). When the goals were conceded, however, the goalkeeper was not a support, but a risk.
Before the 1:1 he parried the ball in the middle of goal scorer Tejeda.
Yeltsin Tejeda scores to make it 1-1 for Costa Rica against the DFB-Elf Photo: François-Xavier MARIT / AFP
The 1:2 was counted as an own goal by Neuer, who uncoordinatedly jumped into the opponent’s shot and the ball went into the goal from his leg. BILD grade: 5.
Neuer conceded the 2-1 draw with Costa Rica and didn’t look good doing it Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
Even before the tournament, there were doubts as to whether Neuer was fit enough for the World Cup. The goalkeeper was plagued by a persistent injury to his left shoulder and had to sit out a few games at Bayern Munich. Even then it was said internally: Neuer does not want to risk his fourth World Cup participation. With Japan’s 2-1 winning goal, it was noticeable that Neuer’s left arm didn’t shoot up, the ball went over him into the near corner.
Takuma Asano shoots the 2:1 for Japan against Germany Photo: REUTERS/Molly Darlington
At the World Cup in Qatar, Neuer also showed unusual insecurities in the otherwise always sovereign passing game.
After an operation in 2017, Neuer has played with a metal plate in his left foot, and since 2008 with another one in his right foot. The problems with his left foot in particular almost cost the Bayern goalkeeper the 2018 World Cup. In the end, the then national coach Jogi Löw (63) preferred Neuer, who had hardly any match practice during the season, to Barca keeper ter Stegen.
Is Neuer still untouchable with Hansi Flick (57). Or has the hour of permanent rival ter Stegen come? The national coach has announced a comprehensive analysis of ALL positions.
Neuer wants to be in goal at the home European Championship in 2024. Can he really do that at the age of 38 and with more and more frequent injuries?
Neuer: “There’s nothing wrong with that.”