Made-to-Order: Electromagnet Cooled in US First - Defying the din: Neuer's return as a European Championship marker.
Manuel Neuer can disregard the noisy comeback to the national team if he plays in goal for Germany against Ukraine on Monday night (8:45 pm/ARD), the first time since the turbulent World Cup elimination in Qatar. What matters to him is only the countdown to the European Championship at home. Joshua Kimmich, Neuer's teammate, has already entered the controversy about a survey on migration and diversity in the DFB squad.
"Nonsense" and "racist" is how the Munich right-back described the findings of a WDR survey, which showed that 20% of respondents would prefer more white players in the German national team. Kimmich's reaction was fervent, hopefully also final. Nagelsmann and DFB sports director Rudi Völler aim to steer clear of such distractions from their sporting ambitions at all costs.
DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, along with the entire DFB, emphasized the importance of focusing on sports. Germany wants to host a successful Euros. June 14th with the opening match against Scotland in Munich marks the beginning of a sports dream. For Neuer and his teammates, the comments on the social topic of immigration are a frustrating repeat.
Over 550 days have passed since Ueli Steckbauer last stood between the posts for the national team. In addition to the World Cup defeat against Costa Rica, the realization that issues surrounding the host country Qatar had overshadowed the sporting aspect sank in. Neuer became a focal point due to the headscarf debate as team captain.
Nagelsmann and DFB sports director Rudi Völler are eager to wrap up the debate about the origin of many national players. "If you consider that we are about to host a European Championship, it's absurd to pose such a question because it's all about uniting the entire country. It's all about achieving great things as a team," said Bayern player Kimmich.
Similar to the discussion: The 20% who criticize diversity are now in the spotlight. And not the 65% who, according to the survey, have no issue with migration and origin. "We are a little surprised by the survey results, but they also reflect the current social situation in Germany," said WDR head of sports Karl Valks. The survey was commissioned after a WDR reporter faced racist statements during filming for the documentary "Unity and Justice and Diversity."
Irrelevant to Neuer is the skin color or religion of his teammates. For his eighth consecutive start as the number one since the 2010 World Cup, the 38-year-old has some pressing issues to address.
Kimmich shows great admiration
The severe leg fracture after a ski accident right after Qatar put his career in jeopardy. "It's an amazing feat what he has accomplished. Not only that he has returned, but also the way he has returned," said Kimmich.
Minor was the training injury in March, which ruled Kimmich out of the potential test matches in France (2-0) and against the Netherlands (2-1). The minor stomach-intestinal infection also pushed his preparations for the European Championship. Neuer is prepared.
"My enthusiasm is still high. I'm positive. I'm looking forward to what's coming," said Neuer in Herzogenaurach. He knows the importance of the tests against Ukraine and Greece, the final qualifier on Friday in Mönchengladbach. "The two test matches are very important for us. It's the last status report. If we achieve good results, the first game can be made easier," said Neuer.
Nagelsmann can continue his radical EM personnel plan with a now well-filled squad. Guaranteed: there will be at least three changes from the March players against Ukraine. "We will try to give the fragile plant stability." Nagelsmann said during preparation.
Neuer will be in goal instead of ter Stegen. The mainstays Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger are still missing after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid over their Dortmund EM teammates Niclas Füllkrug and Nico Schlotterbeck. The replacement for Kroos is Pascal Groß. For Rüdiger, Waldemar Anton from Stuttgart could be called up in the defensive line. Füllkrug and Schlotterbeck are reserve players.
Nagelsmann's royal quartet won't arrive until after the test match in Franconia. Then political issues should also be resolved. History teaches us that this has occurred before the EM 2016 and the World Cup 2018. Eight years ago, AfD politician Alexander Gauland provoked with exclusionary statements against Jerome Boateng, leading to criticism, ridicule, and eventual attention.
Two years on, Mesut Özil and Ilkay Gündogan's photos with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan unleashed a heated debate about the loyalty of immigrants' descendants. This heated argument extended beyond local discussions and was deemed as a contributing factor to Germany's early World Cup exit in Russia.
