Manuel Neuer will also miss the German national team’s final test match before the World Cup. The FC Bayern captain will not be in the squad for the clash with hosts USA, but should be available again in time for the World Cup opener
The German national team will once again be without Manuel Neuer for their dress rehearsal ahead of the World Cup on Saturday evening in Chicago. The 40-year-old is still recovering from his calf injury and will not be between the posts against the USA
It was clear from the final training session at Soldier Field that the Bayern keeper has not yet been fully integrated into team training. While Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel and Jonas Urbig completed the regular goalkeeping exercises, Neuer worked on his fitness on an individual basis
Nagelsmann does not want to take any risks
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann made it clear that the decision was a conscious one, saying that the focus was not on the test match against the USA, but on the World Cup opener
„He’s doing well. He’s on the way to better fitness, but we don’t want to take any risks. His calf has a few previous injuries. We’re looking towards the first group game, when he should be fit,“ explained the national coach
According to this, Neuer should return to full team training as early as next week. Despite the prolonged break, Nagelsmann is completely relaxed. The national coach points above all to the enormous experience of the 2014 world champion
„If I had a goalkeeper now who was 22 years old, I would have a bigger problem. But Manuel has experience and doesn’t need that much time to get back into the rhythm of the game. He can also cope with pressure situations,“ Nagelsmann emphasised
Those responsible at the DFB therefore see no cause for concern at the moment, but rather want to prevent the calf from causing problems again due to premature deployment
Baumann gets the next chance
Oliver Baumann is likely to be in goal again against the USA. The man from Hoffenheim had already impressed in the 4-0 win over Finland and continues to enjoy the confidence of the coaching team
For Neuer, the clear goal remains unchanged: the German national team’s number one should be back between the posts for the World Cup opener. As things stand, there is still much to suggest that this plan will work out.