With the final days before Euro 2024 approaching, the German press has expressed concerns about keeping faith with Manuel Neuer in goal.
The experienced shot-stopper, 38, has been a stalwart of the Germany national side since 2009, winning the World Cup trophy in 2014.
However, fans think he has passed his peak, with an error which gifted Greece a goal in Germany’s final friendly ahead of this summer’s European Championships, and now the country’s media also question if he is the right choice for the tournament, fearing he might become a liability.
In his column for Kicker, former top goalkeeper Uli Stein said: ‘It’s a home-made problem that [Head Coach] Julian Nagelsmann has created for himself with his early decision.
‘If you take a Manuel Neuer with you, you have to let him play. But he no longer justifies it in sporting terms.
German media has expressed fears that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could be a liability this year
Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann already confirmed that Neuer is his No. 1 for the tournament
‘With a heavy heart, but with common sense, he should have been left at home.’
There has been some speculation that 32-year-old goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen should be Germany’s number one, but Nagelsmann has stuck to his choice. declaring Neuer the undisputed No. 1 back in March.
In May, Neuer came under fire for spilling a tame effort into the path of Real Madrid’s Joselu, which gifted the Spanish side a late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final second-leg, which Carlo Ancelotti’s side ultimately won.
Germany has never changed first-choice goalkeepers during a major tournament, but any further mistakes by the 38-year-old could force fans and the media to be more vocal about a shake-up.
Neuer earned his 118th national team cap in their 2-1 win over Greece, but there is a moment he will not remember fondly from the match.
Just after the half hour mark, the Bayern Munich stopper spilled a simple shot straight into the path of Giorgos Masouras, who profited from the mistake to put the Greeks into the lead.
Kai Havertz and Pascal Gross scored second half goals for the Euro 2024 hosts, ahead of their opening fixture of the tournament against Scotland on Friday night.
Neuer came under fire for spilling a tame effort into the path of Real Madrid’s Joselu in May
There has been speculation that Marc-Andre ter Stegen should be Germany’s top keeper
This summer’s European Championships will be Neuer’s eighth tournament for Germany, having been named goalie of the tournament during their success at the World Cup a decade ago.
After Scotland, Germany will face Hungary and Switzerland in their bid to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
