Lots of praise after the gala performance
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The decision about his future is pending, he has ruled out a comeback to the national team several times – but if Manuel Neuer continues to show world-class parades like at RB Leipzig, the FC Bayern Munich goalkeeper will not be able to get rid of both issues so quickly. The fact that Bayern swept Leipzig 5-1 in the Bundesliga hit was also due to Neuer’s game-winning scenes.
“He is a true role model, a match winner. He kept us in the game and kept us in a critical situation so that we stayed in the lead,” said superstar Harry Kane, praising his goalkeeper. In the 72nd minute, Leipzig’s Yan Diomande had a chance to equalize the score at 2-2, but Neuer pulled his left arm up in time when he shot at the acute angle. And perhaps it was simply Neuer’s charisma that after 24 minutes led to Antonio Nusa, who was running towards him alone, hitting the ball into the sky instead of into the net to make it 2-0 for RB. “He has earned his reputation. That sometimes plays in people’s minds. We enjoy this presence,” said coach Vincent Kompany.
The coach is two weeks younger than Neuer, which they both sometimes joke about. “He’s amazing. But not just on the pitch, his energy in the dressing room too,” said Kompany. “He just reads the game so well and is always there at the right moment.” Neuer has ruled out a return to the national team several times and closed the door to the World Cup in the summer himself. His focus is on the club. But what happens next? This will be resolved after Neuer’s next birthday. “Manu should turn 40 first. Slide over well over that. Then we’ll see what happens,” said sports director Max Eberl.
Neuer – in Munich since 2011 – has his special day during the next international break on March 27th. Whether he can be seen in the Bayern jersey for another year will be officially announced in the following days. Then there would still be seven games to play in the Bundesliga and Bayern could even be champions.
