DFB keeper Manuel Neuer is now 36 years old. But he is still indispensable for the national team’s defence.
The DFB has twelve gamesTeam contested under national coach Hansi Flick. The bare numbers give cause for optimism: the national team recorded eight wins and four draws. However, the numbers obscure an unclouded view of reality. And after the three 1:1-handed over in the Nations League against Italy, England and Hungary: The only always reliable size in this team is goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Neuer’s dream of a second world title
Probably still the best goalkeeper in the world still has a big vision. The now 36-year-old wants to celebrate his second world title in Qatar after the 2014 coup. “We as professional athletes are measured by trophies, by titles. And for me there is only one goal that I have and that is the world title.”he said at the end of March.
At the moment, however, a German World Cup triumph seems like a beautiful dream beyond reality. Recently, the DFB team not only seemed harmless on the offensive – the back team was also always good for dropouts. It is certainly not too steep a thesis to claim that national coach Flick would have had to record his first defeat a long time ago without his “life insurance” Neuer.
Ironing out mistakes again and again
Germany’s record national player Lothar Matthäus put it this way after the Hungary game on RTL: Flick’s protégés could change “Thank you again to Manuel Neuer for not losing here”. And in fact, the goalkeeper has to iron out mistakes made by his colleagues again and again.
A few examples: Hungary’s 1-0 win Zsolt Nagy favored defender Nico Schlotterbeck through a positional error. Neuer had previously had a header from Roland Sallai defused and later held the 1-1 when he had big chances from Attila Fiola and Daniel Rich strongly parried.
Against England, Neuer initially saved the 1-0 lead, for example in a brilliant save against Bukayo Saka or at a shot of Harry Kane, which he blocked with a hip. He was powerless against the penalty caused by Schlotterbeck.
Stability hardly recognizable
His appearance against Italy was emblematic of Neuer’s role. The German remained Keeper largely unemployed, but had to be highly concentrated and alert at all times because something could have happened at any moment.
Despite all the qualities of the German defenders, the German back line repeatedly reveals shortcomings. Antonio Rüdiger has a clear claim to leadership, but sometimes overdoes it. Schlotterbeck occasionally has a lack of concentration and tends to engage in impetuous duels.
Niklas Süle doesn’t seem to be in step, Thilo Kehrer lacks consistency, as does Jonathan Tah. Jonas Hofmann is actually a midfielder, but has his strengths in the game up front, as does David Raum. The performances by Benjamin Henrichs and Lukas Klostermann are solid, but often lacking Esprit.
Lots of mistakes under pressure
The bottom line is that the defense of the DFB team also gives cause for criticism, seems little coordinated, sometimes shaky, sometimes even headless. And so the defenders keep making mistakes under pressure, which Manuel Neuer has to iron out in the end. But the national coach can at least rely on that at the moment.
