Bayern Munich got dunked on by FC Barcelona for the first time in nine years with a 4-1 loss in the Champions League. Most of the blame is on the coaching and defence, especially Manuel Neuer who played like he wasn’t the imperious goalkeeper of the past. Lothar Matthäus echoes what most fans are saying: Neuer is not himself lately (Bild via @iMiaSanMia).
“I don’t mean Manuel any harm, but he’s not the support for the team at the moment like he was in the past. Manuel Neuer is not Manuel Neuer at the moment. His goalkeeping has changed. He used to anticipate every situation, he had a 360-degree view, and he could initiate attacks with a build-up pass. At the moment he cannot give the defense any security. That’s also demonstrated by the rate of just over 40% of shots saved in the Bundesliga,” said Matthäus.
Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
The Bavarians can’t have this “backwards step” version of Neuer. “I hope he will soon find his way back to his old game and confidence,” Matthäus continued. “In the past when he faced three shots on goal, like in Frankfurt, he would save one or two. Or in Barcelona, he’d save one or two out of four shots. Barcelona’s second goal is a good example — Manuel hesitated, then went out of his line and was unable to do anything about the goal.”
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