Neuer confident: wants to play the European Championship final in Berlin
Even after a long injury break, national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has made no secret of his ambitions for next year's European Championship at home. "I want to play in this stadium because the final is here. Together with the fans, we want to create positive emotions in our country and achieve the big goal," said the 37-year-old on Wednesday at the Maifeld in Berlin near the Olympic Stadium. The official match ball for the tournament was presented there.
Neuer returned to FC Bayern Munich at the end of October after breaking his leg. In consultation with national coach Julian Nagelsmann and DFB goalkeeping coach Andreas Kronenberg, the 117-time international was not nominated for the upcoming international matches against Turkey in Berlin on Saturday and against Austria in Vienna three days later.
That would not have made sense medically, Neuer said on Wednesday. "For me, it's about showing my performance at Bayern first," he said. Nevertheless, he accepts the competition with Marc-André ter Stegen (31) from FC Barcelona for the number 1 spot in the DFB squad. "Of course, my goal is to be back for the March internationals. I want to attack ambitiously."
Would he also go to the European Championships as number two? "I haven't thought about that yet. It's important for me to come back now. My contact with Julian is very good because he was my coach at Bayern. We are in constant contact. He is also very happy that things have started so well for me," said the 37-year-old.
The prospect of playing at the European Championships in his own country is a source of great anticipation for Neuer. "I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to rejoin the team and have the chance to play another European Championship," said the goalkeeper. "It's the first tournament for me in my own country. It's something special for all of us, for Germany as a soccer nation. And of course I want to take advantage of that."
The groups will be drawn on December 2 at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. The European Championship will begin on June 14, 2024 with the German team's opening match against an as yet unknown opponent in Munich. The final will be played in Berlin on July 14.
Source: www.dpa.com
