Nagelsmann emphasizes Ter Stegen’s role
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After his years of reservist existence in the national team, Oliver Baumann is a great fun as number one in the spotlight. “Yes,” said the 34-year-old before the quarter-finals in the Nations League against Italy today (8:45 p.m./RTL) in Dortmund. He “got a taste – definitely!”
However, after just three international matches, the team senior may not formulate claims for continuous status as a regular goalkeeper with the wide view of the 2026 World Cup: “I find that still far too far ahead.”
Number 1 at the DFB: Ter Stegen plays “when he’s fit”
Especially since national coach Julian Nagelsmann in Dortmund reaffirmed that the still injured Marc-André Ter Stegen (32) remains his first choice in the DFB goal. “If Marc is fit and 100 percent powerful, it will be number one,” said the national coach of FC Barcelona’s goalkeeper, who has been in construction training after a patella tendon tear since mid -February. A failure was forecast until summer, but a comeback before the end of the season is not excluded.
Ter Stegen had to let Manuel Neuer go ahead for many years. “Marc would have earned the chance to have a big tournament,” said Nagelsmann. “If he shouldn’t be fit, the fight for all goalkeepers is open to number one.”
Baumann has currently prevailed against Alexander Nübel, who was six years younger. In his three international matches so far, he was the winner. He stayed twice without conceding a goal. In the 2-1 in the first leg against Italy in Milan, the Hoffenheimer earned top marks. However, he did not want to rate this as a statement for a permanent number one status. “Statement? I don’t want to go into that at all. I am concerned with doing the job I get. I just want to help the team as best I can.” Also in the second leg against Italy.
For years it looked like Baumann never came to his international debut. Under the former national coach Joachim Löw, he was part of the squad for the first time in 2020, but for the first time in the DFB goal, it was only in September 2024 in Munich 1-0 in the Nations League against the Netherlands. “I just always stayed there, I accepted every role I got,” said Baumann about his persistence with “a lot of hard work and a lot of work”. At home European home, he was number three behind Neuer and Ter Stegen. “Now I can play,” rejoiced Baumann.