Wants to be No. 1 again at the DFB
Manuel Neuer had to wait over 13 months for this moment. In the evening, the goalkeeper will lead the FC Bayern team as captain again in the Munich Arena against Galatasaray for the first time in Europe’s premier class. “I’m happy that I can put on the Champions League jersey again,” said the 37-year-old. Neuer played his 131st and last game in the most important international club competition on October 4, 2022 in a 5-0 home win against Viktoria Pilsen.
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The Galatasaray game represents the next step on Neuer’s long path back to his former class after his first games in the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup. “I’m glad that it worked so well,” said Neuer. His coach Thomas Tuchel calls the comeback performance so far “sensational”. He trusts Neuer to “really regain his old strength”. “The limit has certainly not been reached at the moment. But they are incredible steps. The fact that it works so quickly is quite extraordinary.”
Only the DFB return will have to wait a few more months. “The fact is that I will not be traveling to the national team,” Neuer announced on Tuesday. In consultation with national coach Julian Nagelsmann and DFB goalkeeping coach Andreas Kronenberg, Neuer will miss the November international matches against Turkey and Austria. “This also has medical reasons. It’s too early now,” explained Neuer.
The 2014 world champion has to be careful. Before the Galatasaray game, Neuer gave a more detailed insight into the overall situation. “It was a very serious injury. “I’m glad that I can play football again,” he admitted. The body is still reacting to the stress of the game. “But that’s completely normal after such a long and serious injury.” He has to “take care of his little construction sites.” After the games, medical checks and intensive follow-up care are necessary. Cycling, for example, is important for circulation in his right leg, where he broke his tibia and fibula in a skiing accident. “It’s an important balance for my body and mind,” said Neuer: “I’ve coped well with it so far. It can continue like this.”
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And the national team? The 117-time national player is tackling his DFB comeback in 2024. International matches are not scheduled again until the end of March. The home European Championships follow in June. He firmly believes that he will be part of the squad at the home tournament. “I will give everything for this,” announced Neuer and appeared relaxed and ambitious at the same time: “Everything that comes for me now is a bonus.” The competition with Marc-André ter Stegen (31) from FC Barcelona for number one He will still take it offensively. “I’m an ambitious guy. I will always compete to play if possible, that’s clear. Of course, no matter which team I play for, I always want to be on the pitch,” said Neuer. First the Bayern comeback, then the DFB return – and finally the home European Championship. Neuer’s plan is in place. Since 2010 he has contested every World Cup or European Championship as number one.
“Sport Bild”: New deputy Ulreich should extend his contract with FC Bayern
Meanwhile, Neuer’s Bayern deputy Sven Ulreich is set to extend his contract, which expires in the summer. “Sport Bild” reports on an initial exchange between the record champions and the goalkeeper’s management. The 35-year-old has been Neuer’s replacement since 2015 with a short break and again showed good performances at the start of the season until his return. Ulreich should therefore want to stay in Munich and end his career there. He came to FC Bayern from VfB Stuttgart more than eight years ago. In 2020 he moved to Hamburger SV for one season.
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