In the first half of the season, Manuel Neuer celebrated his comeback after a long injury in the home match against SV Darmstadt (8:0). At the press conference ahead of the away game against the Lilies, the head coach enthused about the 37-year-old’s path to his comeback.
„Maybe one in 20 million players can do that,“ said Thomas Tuchel, describing Manuel Neuer’s successful path to a comeback and thus also to the return of his old strength.
He was asked about the goalkeeper’s performance at the press conference before the Darmstadt game. Neuer missed matchdays 16 to 34 of the previous season and also matchdays 1-8 of the 23/24 season due to a lower leg fracture. „You can’t rate it highly enough. To be so stable all the way through rehab, even with setbacks,“ Tuchel went on to praise the FC Bayern captain.
Tuchel on Neuer’s road back: „That’s unique“
„All the doctors, rehab coaches and physios treating him deserve the highest praise. What Manu has pulled off cannot be rated highly enough. It’s unique. It’s a great gift to be able to experience him like this. It’s all a great reward for him,“ enthused Tuchel, who is aiming to secure his 19th win of the season in 26 games with Bayern in Darmstadt. „His goalkeeping, his charisma and his anticipation are unique. The way he got there is more than just impressive and he deserves the utmost respect,“ he added.
Manuel Neuer will indeed stand between the posts against SV tomorrow – despite, or perhaps because of, the birth of his first child. „He’s had a two-day break, will train with us again afterwards and will play tomorrow. Of course that’s a boost,“ said Tuchel on the birth of Manuel Neuer’s son. In addition to the joy of fatherhood, Neuer will be trying to keep a clean sheet for the seventh time in the current Bundesliga season against the bottom team in the league.
