Bundesliga - Sepp Maier is convinced: Neuer will be number one at the European Championships
Goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier firmly believes that Manuel Neuer will be in goal for the German national team at next summer's European Championships. In the competition with Marc-André ter Stegen, Maier sees Neuer (37), who has recovered from a broken leg, as the front runner. In addition, ter Stegen (31) was recently absent from the DFB team and FC Barcelona due to back problems and had to undergo an operation.
"Ter Stegen is a very good goalkeeper, but Manu is on the way to his old form, so there's no doubt who will be number one at the European Championship in Germany," said Maier in an interview published by Sport1 on Christmas Eve.
The 1974 World Cup winner, who turns 80 at the end of February, said he never doubted that Neuer would return. The goalkeeper from Maier's former club FC Bayern Munich had been out of action for more than ten months following an accident during a skiing vacation. "He's such a great goalkeeper, he just had to come back," said Maier and even described Neuer's comeback at the end of October in the home game against Darmstadt 98 as his personal highlight of the year. Neuer was not yet back for the following international matches.
Overall, he is looking ahead to the home European Championships with mixed feelings, explained the former national goalkeeping coach Maier in view of past performances. With performances like the defeats against Turkey and Austria, national coach Julian Nagelsmann's team will fail badly and not make it past the preliminary round. However, Maier expects a similar euphoria in Germany as at the 2006 World Cup.
Despite the latest results, Maier rejects the idea of Toni Kroos returning, which Nagelsmann recently brought up. "He had his time. We have many other talented players in his position who can help the team," Maier said of the soon-to-be 34-year-old Real Madrid midfielder. That does not mean that the 2014 World Cup winner is not a great player and has done nothing for German soccer.
Maier interview on Sport1
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- Despite his age, Sepp Maier is still closely following the German national team's preparations for the European Championship, which will be held in his home country, Germany.
- In an interview with Sport1 on Saint's Eve, Maier expressed confidence that Manuel Neuer will be the starting goalkeeper for the DFB selection in the upcoming tournament.
- Marc-André ter Stegen, who is currently with FC Barcelona, has been dealing with back problems and had to undergo an operation, which has impacted his availability for both club and country.
- Maier praised Neuer's comeback after a long absence due to a broken leg, calling it his personal highlight of the year.
- The Bundesliga's top goalkeeper, Neuer, has shown his form is returning, further bolstering his case to be the first choice for the German national team at the European Championship.
- The German football legend, who is originally from Bavaria and hails from Munich, has no doubts about Neuer's talent and ability to lead the team in the European Championship.
- Despite the mixed feelings about the German team's recent performances, Maier is looking forward to the home European Championship, hoping for a similar atmosphere as the 2006 World Cup.
- Toni Kroos, a Real Madrid midfielder and a former German national team player, has been suggested by some as a possible reinforcement for the team, but Maier believes that this is not necessary and the young talents in his position can carry the team.
- FC Barcelona's ter Stegen could potentially serve as backup to Neuer in the tournament, given his quality and experience, but the German national team will rely heavily on Bayern Munich's goalkeeper for their title hopes in the European Championship.
Source: www.stern.de
