Ter Stegen, in a place of the ‘Mannschaft’

In the German team almost everything is discussed. The national team bid farewell to its second consecutive World Cup in the group stage and the pride of a country that has won four World Cups could not hide the disappointment for several days. Public opinion demands a host that lives up to its prestige in the next Euro Cup, which is only two years away and, if that implies traumatic changes, it must be done. The control affects all the neuralgic points of the team, from the offices to the bench, passing through the field of play. And, for the first time in many years, one of the title holders is starting to be questioned, someone who later got only almost unanimous support: Manuel Neuer. The goalkeeper of Bayern, at the age of 36, quickly confirmed his intention to continue with the national team, but his position no longer seems hegemonic. For the first time, acid articles were read suggesting that the time had come Marc André ter Stegenunprecedented in the Qatar tournament.

Betting on a relay in Germany’s goal and above naming the goalkeeper of FC Barcelona In place of the goalkeeper who became the world champion in 2014, this is, although it may be a surprise in the areas of Culé, a very important novelty. Neuer is always unmistakable Joachim Low and now also for Hansi Flick. Since 2009, he has been consistently picked by coaches, even after a long recovery from injury. In 2019, Ter Stegen He publicly assumed that his permanent replacement in the national team was not a comfortable situation and Neuer he pulled gallons airing that he didn’t “like” the comment at all. So, the debate did not go beyond that because of Germany Neuer this is Neuer, ‘ein respect’. Even in 2020, and much less European champion Bayern with a 2-8 draw against Ter Stegen’s Barça, any cracks could open in this regard.

But things can change. After several unfortunate seasons even numerically, Ter Stegen He is heading into his first Zamora in the Spanish League with just five goals conceded in 14 games. last day 2, Bild unceremoniously titled: “Is it still this Neuer untouchable?”

The most popular outlet in Alenania featured that Neuer “He already spoke about the Eurocup but….”. He brought it up after hearing how the Bayern goalkeeper, on his return from Qatar, assured he hoped to “continue because there is nothing else to say” after 117 international matches.

In his rhetorical question, Bild recalled that Neuer “made his debut in the DFB team in 2009” and then stressed that, at the age of 30, Ter Stegen is “ready to lead”. In his review of the Neuer World Cup, Bild blamed him for making “unusual insecurities in the passing game, where he was always sovereign.” At the same time, mention was made of the operation he underwent in 2017, during which he “plays with a metal plate in his left foot, and since 2008, with another one in his right foot.” When they come badly, the inventory of deficits is no longer hidden: “The problems with his left foot, in particular, almost cost the Bayern goalkeeper in the 2018 World Cup. In the end, coach Löw preferred Neuer, who barely trained during the season. , Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen”. The conclusion of this preamble is to ask whether Neuer “continues to be untouched Hansi Flick Or the time has come for his permanent rival Ter Stegen?“. “The coach announced a complete review of ALL positions”, they highlighted, with ‘ALL’ in capital letters. “Neuer wants to be the goalkeeper in the Eurocup played ‘at home’ in 2024. Can he really be with the 38-year-old and increasing frequent injuries?” The cascade of arguments was very strong.

Naa Frankfurter Allgemeinethe former German goalkeeper and now sporting director in MLS Lutz Pfannenstielwas very critical of the headline from Germany: “Whoever still believes that the strongest goalkeeper comes from Europe has missed a lot: the best goalkeeper in the world is not Manuel Neuer“. The reminder of the legendary German archers, a country with a very respectable tradition in that sense, quoted among others. Tony Turek, Sepp Maier, Tony Schumacher Y Oliver Kahn.

The test, especially difficult because it is very unusual to Neuer, confirming that the debate, this time yes, seems to be open. Finally, Ter Stegen it might be somewhere in ‘Mannschaft’.