Manuel Neuer celebrated his comeback after 331 days in FC Bayern’s brilliant 8-0 victory. Will there now be a quick comeback in the DFB team?
The Bayern fans had to wait a long time for this moment: After a long period of suffering following his broken lower leg, Manuel Neuer stood between the record champions’ posts for the first time. The 37-year-old made his last appearance in the Munich jersey in November last year.
During the warm-up there was thunderous applause in the Munich Arena for the Bayern captain. And when the game against Darmstadt 98 was underway, you didn’t have the feeling that Neuer had ever been away. When the score was 0-0, the goalkeeper immediately played an important role again with a great save against Marvin Mehlem 8-0 win.
You can rely on Neuer
What was also noticeable: Neuer was coach Thomas Tuchel’s extended arm in the game against the Lilies. After Joshua Kimmich was sent off early, the captain ran to the sideline and took instructions from the coach and passed them on to the players.
“Manu leads in a very substantive way. He just thinks two steps forward,” praised Tuchel Neuer. “He is also the one who wants to know whether we are making a system change, whether we are changing the basic order, how we attack and defend,” said Tuchel, underlining how important the captain is to him.
New to the DFB team “totally deeply relaxed”
Neuer himself was “glad to be back” after the game. After this impressive comeback, the question naturally arises: What’s next for the keeper with regard to the national team?
Neuer did not want to comment on this at first. For him, it’s important to “play as many games as possible and perform well.” He’s not thinking about the national team yet. “Basically, I see the situation as positive. We have great goalkeepers and we are all looking forward to the European Championships,” said Neuer. He answered the number 1 question and competitor Marc-André ter Stegen briefly and succinctly: “I think he is definitely number one at the moment.”
Ter Stegen from FC Barcelona took over as the starting goalkeeper in the DFB team during the eleven-month injury break and impressed with good performances. In Neuer’s absence, Ilkay Gündogan has now taken over the captaincy of the national team, and the midfield strategist will retain this position even if Neuer returns. National coach Julian Nagelsmann recently emphasized this again.
Neuer had contact with Nagelsmann
Manuel Neuer’s relationship with the ex-Bayern coach is considered strained after the expulsion of his coach and confidant Toni Tapalovic. At least the two were in contact before Neuer’s comeback: Nagelsmann “wished me all the best for today and that’s why I’m totally relaxed,” said Neuer. The next international matches will take place on November 18th (Turkey) and November 21st (Austria). Until then, Neuer still has some time to show what he can do – the next opportunity will come next week: in the top game at Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, November 4th, from 6:30 p.m. in the live report for listening and in the ticker).
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Source: Blickpunkt Sport October 29, 2023 – 9:45 p.m
