The discussion about a possible DFB comeback for Manuel Neuer continues to make headlines – but Oliver Baumann is not letting it upset him. The current national goalkeeper has now reacted calmly to the latest speculation and made it clear that he is fully focused on his own performance
The debate was once again triggered by Neuer’s world-class performance in FC Bayern’s 2:1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The 40-year-old impressively showed that he can continue to perform at the highest level – and thus reignited the discussion about a possible return to the national team
„I trust in my strengths“
Baumann, who is currently the number one under national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, was not impressed by this, however. After his TSG Hoffenheim’s 2-2 draw with FC Augsburg , the 35-year-old explained on Sky: „I’ll do it like I did in the qualifiers: I’ll stay calm, I’ll trust myself, I’ll trust my strengths.“
The Hoffenheim man made it clear that he would not get involved in public debates, but would instead focus clearly on his own performances: „I’m not someone who stands up and says how great I am, it’s performance that counts for me.“
Clear division of roles in the DFB team
Despite the recurring discussions, the situation in the DFB team seems to have been clearly clarified internally. Neuer himself has repeatedly ruled out a comeback, and experts such as Lothar Matthäus also see no realistic chance of the 2014 world champion returning
For Baumann, this means that he can continue to consolidate his role as number one – even if the questions about Neuer continue. „Everything has been said, and everyone has had their say, so I’ll leave it at that,“ he clarified
While the public debate continues, Oliver Baumann remains calm and focused. It is precisely this attitude that could help him to maintain his place in the German goal in the long term.
