Bayern Munich and Germany star Manuel Neuer will not be entering his first rodeo when facing off with Spain.
The goalkeeper has played in dozens of big matches, but this EURO 2024 quarterfinal tilt will be one for the veteran to cherish. When asked if this might be his last big tourney with Germany, Neuer did not seem to warm to that idea.
“I’m enjoying the tournament very intensely because I’m happy that I made it back after my injury. I’m also enjoying it because it’s a home tournament and everyone of us is really looking forward to this European Championship. For me, this joy started long before our first game because I was really ambitious to come back,” Neuer told Welt journalist Julien Wolff (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “To be honest, I’m not even thinking about quitting. I think it would inhibit me and put me under pressure if I kept reminding myself: Oh, this could be your last tournament. That wouldn’t be good for me psychologically. That’s why I’m looking forward to every game, like the one against Spain, which is a really big.
“The time will come when I’ll think about it [retirement]. But not in the here and now.”
It has been a long road to get back to this point for Germany and part of the credit for that goes to head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Neuer credited the manager for communicating tactics to him during matches.
“We use the time when the ball is out of play consciously. It’s about whether the coach has noticed something – or whether I have. If a player runs up and down the line in front of the coach, he’s not in a position to take tactical instructions. Sometimes the coach gives me tips that I then try to pass on to the team straight away,” Neuer said.
Of course, Neuer’s role on the squad is different than in the past. No longer the captain, the goalkeeper still plays a leadership role.
“I’ve done it the same way with Julian Nagelsmann at FC Bayern. It’s working very well. If there’s nothing to discuss because we have the game under control, we look at each other and give each other the thumbs up. That’s the case 90 percent of the time,” Neuer remarked.
As for Spain, one player has caught Neuer’s eye in particular — Lamine Yamal.
“It’s special that he’s already so good at 16. There are no age limits these days. We know that from Jamal Musiala. When he came from Bayern’s youth team to join our first team, he was a footballer before any other thing. But of course you’re also interested in the person, and ask whether he already has a driving licence, whether his parents still drive him or whether he uses public transport,” said Neuer. “That’s a difference to the older players. But for me it’s mainly about the abilities of each individual. When preparing for an opponent, it’s not important to me whether a player is already allowed to watch all kinds of films [laughs]. What interests me is what he can do, what makes him stand out. And when I see what Lamine Yamal does, you can only take your hat off to him. He’s extremely strong. What he showed for FC Barcelona last season — respect. That’s what a player is measured by — not his age.”
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Germany’s big matchup with Spain in the EURO 2024 quarterfinals? Then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show where we break down how excited fans should be, two key positional showdowns on the pitch, a guess at Julian Nagelsmann’s starting XI and a prediction on the game! You can get the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show on Spotify or below: