Dhe photos send a clear message: I’m back! Manuel Neuer this week completed goalkeeper-specific exercises for the first time after his long injury break on the FC Bayern pitch on Säbener Strasse.
The German soccer record champion put the pictures of it on his website, also shared a video of Neuer in action on social media and wrote: “Guess who’s back on the pitch.”
The national goalkeeper threw himself after the ball, fended off shots from goalkeeper coach Michaelrechner and played passes. It looked like it used to, when the captain was fit and ready for action. “I’m doing well. I’m happy to come to Säbener Straße every day and train there,” said Neuer. “The rehab is going very well, we are satisfied. The last pictures were good too.”
After the World Cup last December, the 37-year-old fractured his right lower leg on a private ski tour in Bavaria and was operated on in Murnau on the day of the accident. Initially, Neuer worked in his club’s performance center, but returning to the training ground is now the next step in his rehabilitation.
WELT asked coach Thomas Tuchel at the FC Bayern press conference on Friday afternoon before the home game in the Bundesliga against FC Schalke 04 this Saturday (3:30 p.m., Sky) what impression Neuer made on him and how confident he was. Tuchel’s answer: “I have to slow myself down a bit so as not to get euphoric. This is not appropriate in the case of injury. But it is sensational news and great to see how Manu works and gradually rewards himself. We will not open a time window.”
That also applies to the long-injured defender Lucas Hernández. “They are outstanding athletes. The attitude and mood they have here at the training ground is extremely positive. The way they are working on their comeback is impressive,” said Tuchel.
In the summer, Neuer wants to be in top form and prepare for the new season with the team. A training camp at Tegernsee and a tour of Asia are planned. As captain of the national team and FC Bayern, Neuer is the most powerful player in German football. It could be a return with far-reaching consequences.
Eight million euros paid to Gladbach
Tuchel has to decide who to count on as number one in Bayern’s goal: Neuer – or Yann Sommer, whom Munich signed for around eight million euros from Borussia Mönchengladbach in winter as a temporary replacement for the then injured captain.
If Tuchel decides for Neuer – which many in Munich assume – Sommer could leave FC Bayern again after six months. Despite a valid contract until June 30, 2025.
Sommer is 34 years old and really wants to play. Manchester United wanted him before his Bayern move and are said to remain interested. Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea’s contract ends in the summer.
The Spaniard has one for extra time but those in charge at the club are not entirely happy with him. Most recently, the 32-year-old made a mistake in the 1-0 draw against West Ham, which cost him three points in the fight for Champions League qualification. Coach Erik ten Hag, once coach of FC Bayern’s second team, may want to replace de Gea after this season.
Neuer’s return could mean Sommer’s end
Which: pa/SvenSimon/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON
Should Sommer change, Sven Ulreich would probably be number two in Bayern behind Neuer. With the goalkeepers, the constellation would be restored as before the Neuer accident. Ulreich is very much appreciated in the team and in the club. Recently there has also been criticism of Sommer’s performance, Bayern can win a maximum of one title this season.
Will it actually happen in the goalkeeper question? If a club offered around eight million euros for the summer, Munich would probably let him go. Sommer would have helped for six months, apart from his salary, Bayern would not have spent any money on such a deal in the overall calculation.
Alexander Nübel is loaned out to AS Monaco. The 26-year-old should leave the Monegasque in the summer
Those: dpa/Federico Gambarini
Alexander Nübel probably has no future at Bayern, neither as number one nor as number two. After two years, his loan to AS Monaco ends in the summer. Monaco’s leadership has decided against signing the 26-year-old, the former goalkeeper of FC Schalke 04 should have offers from the Bundesliga and abroad.
At Bayern they now want to concentrate fully on the final phase of the championship fight. On Saturday against Schalke they again have to do without injured striker Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. Thomas Müller, who was only a substitute twice in a row, will probably play from the start again.
“Bayern Munich is Thomas Müller”
“Thomas is Bayern Munich and Bayern Munich is Thomas Müller. He is playing for his twelfth championship. The focus is on that,” said Tuchel on Friday afternoon about the world champion. “It’s an important part. Everything else misses the mark. Thomas is totally focused and wants nothing more than to win the championship.”
And added: “Thomas has a few ailments with him, so he made a somewhat reduced program. It did him good to give up a bit of training. He has had three very good sessions and is fit and ready.”
Bayern are likely to sign a new top striker for the new season. But it’s not easy to find. The club is ready to spend up to a hundred million euros. “The big teams in the Champions League have this number nine, which we had here for years with Robert Lewandowski,” said Tuchel.
This season it has often been made clear how much a “real number nine” is missing from the champions. “Everyone is looking for them, everyone wants them. Arsenal also spread it across multiple shoulders, for example. If we have preparation together, we’ll be able to create even more chances to reach that quota. Robert’s goals had to be reallocated, so our goal is to also have more players with around 16 goals.”
