Munich (dpa) – Manuel Neuer disappeared with his Bayern colleagues for the secret final training session for the top game against Bayer Leverkusen on the club premises behind the huge privacy screen.
But Julian Nagelsmann ended a good two hours later the short guesswork about a possible lightning comeback of the national soccer goalkeeper this Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky) in the Bundesliga.
“We’re extremely well within the time window,” said Nagelsmann in the introduction. Less than four weeks have passed since the operation on my right knee. And that’s why nothing should be rushed, especially since Neuer feels “a little reaction” in the joint with certain actions. “He’s not an option yet,” Nagelsmann said clearly: “With training, it would be a bit naïve to throw him in there right away.”
The earliest time for Neuer’s return to goal is next Tuesday, when Bayern are aiming for a place in the quarter-finals against RB Salzburg in the Champions League. “We’ll see that he can play again as early as possible. Let’s see how far that makes sense against Salzburg. That’s a small goal where it can work,” said Nagelsmann, describing the plans at Neuer.
Hernández absent due to yellow card suspension
In the expected offensive spectacle between Bayern and Bayer, Sven Ulreich will be in the Munich goal again. And that behind a defense that Nagelsmann has to form against the Leverkusen turbo attackers around Moussa Diaby without the suspended Lucas Hernández. And to which a lot could come. “Very important points for us will be game control and the remaining defense,” said Nagelsmann.
FC Bayern also wants to take a stand against Russia’s war in Ukraine around the game, as Nagelsmann announced. He was further shocked by the “terrifying” and “unbearable” images from the combat zones. A war stop is “without alternative”.
Nevertheless, everyday football in Germany goes on. And goals seem guaranteed in the showdown between Bayern and Bayer. Both Munich (75 goals) and the Werkself (63) have a season record after 24 games. “A goal spectacle would certainly be good for the spectators, for the coaches – depending on the outcome of the goal spectacle,” remarked Nagelsmann.
In the 5-1 first leg, Bayern were 5-0 up after 37 minutes in the Leverkusen Arena. Coach Gerardo Seoane is not afraid of déjà vu. “We’re happy to play against the best. We’ve improved in a number of ways, we’ve grown,” he said.
Diaby already with seven goals in the second half of the season
A duel for the title is not the test of strength given Bayern’s 14-point lead. The game is still exciting. There are the two young German stars Jamal Musiala (Bayern) and Florian Wirtz (Bayer). The 18-year-old Wirtz had “the gift of sending the wing arrows into the depths” in the Leverkusen offensive whirl, remarked and warned Nagelsmann. Leverkusen’s biggest success factor at the moment is winger Diaby, whose seven goals in the second half of the season are surpassed by Bayern’s world footballer Robert Lewandowski (9).
At Bayern, top assist provider Thomas Müller returns after his second corona infection. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old Musiala should remain in the team. “I don’t want to be without Jamal,” said Nagelsmann. The 32-year-old leader Müller meanwhile emphasized the importance of the Leverkusen game as a prelude to the knockout game in Europe’s premier class against Salzburg. “Needless to say how important this game is for our season,” said Müller.
Nagelsmann called “the hot phase” of the season. He reported a change in mood at the record champions after the 1-0 win in Frankfurt. The tension had given way on Säbener Straße. The spirit is more pleasant again in the team and also in the club: “Exciting games are coming up. Now it depends!”