Unanticipated actions by DFB personnel spark frustration
Manuel Neuer is no longer an option, Ter Stegen seriously hurt: The German national football team's goalkeeper situation is up in the air. Head coach Nagelsmann brings in Janis Blaswich as the third choice keeper. Some experts find this choice peculiar.
Initially, it was thought that the goalkeeper conundrum in the German national team would sort itself out: The long-time Manuel Neuer is no more, while his successor Marc-André ter Stegen is currently injured. Kevin Trapp, a regular or near-regular in the squad for years, is currently unavailable. This leaves head coach Julian Nagelsmann with limited options. Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel were both considered certain for the Nations League. But who will be the third man? Bernd Leno from FC Fulham seemed like the logical choice. A regular player and consistently facing the best in the world in the Premier League.
However, things didn't turn out as expected. Leno is out, instead Janis Blaswich surprisingly makes the cut. The 33-year-old, on loan from RB Leipzig to Red Bull Salzburg, is the undisputed number one there and plays in the Champions League. This sealed the deal for the veteran. Blaswich also impressed when he was with the A-team according to Nagelsmann, making him the "right man" as the third choice. Many experts, however, see it differently. This move has caused confusion. For instance, from Lothar Matthäus.
"This is surprising to me," said the record national player and TV expert to RTL/ntv and sport.de. He admitted that he didn't even consider Blaswich for the role. "He didn't deliver the outstanding performances at Salzburg that he had at RB Leipzig. I was expecting Bernd Leno because Kevin Trapp is still injured," Matthäus assessed. "For me, Leno was the more experienced goalkeeper who would have been chosen by the national coach."
Fredi Bobic was even more critical of the nomination: "Bernd Leno is completely missing. I don't understand why he's not there," said the former European champion and long-time functionary on Sky. "The mix I've seen now doesn't convince me at all." Former national goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller also doesn't understand the coach's decision. "Bernd Leno has the most international experience in my view. That he's not even a factor now is very surprising. For me, Bernd Leno is definitely a national goalkeeper who should be in the squad."
A possible reason for the omission: Leno is said to have a strained relationship with ter Stegen. Ter Stegen is expected to be number one again after his return, as Nagelsmann emphasized: "He has all the time he needs to get healthy again." For now, the goalkeeper battle between the posts is Baumann versus Nübel. Nagelsmann promised the Hoffenheim veteran his debut in the DFB goal after his long wait. "Olli had a great start with many good games in the Bundesliga and Europa League. He deserves a national game." But it's also like this: "We don't know 100% yet if one will do both." So, Stuttgart loanee Nübel can still hope to make his national debut in Munich against the Netherlands.
Despite Lothar Matthäus and other experts expressing their surprise and criticism, Janis Blaswich has been selected as the third-choice goalkeeper for the German national team. Even with Ter Stegen expected to return and potentially take the number one spot, Kevin Trapp remains unavailable, leaving the team with limited options.
In contrast to the criticism, former national goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller believes that Bernd Leno, who has the most international experience, should be a part of the squad. His omission is surprising to Weidenfeller as he sees Leno as a deserving national goalkeeper.
