Who doesn’t love a good goalkeeping controversy? After a devastating leg injury at the end of 2022, Bayern Munich and Germany keeper Manuel Neuer’s position among the world’s elite has come into focus. And it is not easier when his understudy in the national team side, Marc-André ter Stegen, is starring for another huge club in FC Barcelona.
But so far, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has kept the faith. And on Sunday, Neuer rewarded him with a stupendous save from a Granit Xhaka rocket.
““In the end it would have been 2-0 and then it would have been difficult to come back,” Neuer remarked after the game (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “The shot was slightly hidden because there was a defender in front of me. I have to be honest and say that he hit it brilliantly. He [Xhaka] has a great touch, we know that from international matches and also from the Bundesliga. He has scored goals like that many times. It was important to be there.”
Xhaka certainly knows how to crack it from deep, and after watching his club teammate Robert Andrich fire one in early — ultimately disallowed — the Leverkusen show-runner and former Arsenal FC man tried his luck. Luckily for the Germans, Neuer proved up to the task — and at 38, is still a game-changer in goal.
Missed the Germany-Switzerland match, or can’t get enough of the action? Check out our post-game podcast! Samrin and Cyler break down the reasons for Germany’s struggles, what to make of the result, and check in on the latest Bayern Munich transfers news. Listen here below or on Spotify!
Thank you and as always, we appreciate your support!