In recent days and weeks, the debate surrounding Manuel Neuer has gained significantly more momentum than before. The FC Bayern goalkeeper returned to the national team, which didn’t sit well with everyone.
He wasn’t in top form before the group stage, and during the group stage, he didn’t make a particularly good impression. He didn’t make many saves, which is why he came under some criticism.
Admittedly: The goal against Curaçao was deflected; the goal against the Ivorians was unstoppable; and against Ecuador, at least the first goal was pretty much unstoppable. But even so, Neuer doesn’t seem entirely confident, especially when it comes to passing or goal kicks.
Neuer Receives Support
Now, however, Neuer is receiving support from a former professional goalkeeper, namely Timo Hildebrand. “Everyone’s looking for someone to blame. When I read ‘goalkeeping blunder by Manuel Neuer,’ I’ll tell you that none of you have a clue. It really pisses me off,” the former Stuttgart goalkeeper explainedon Instagram.
For Hildebrand, other players were more to blame here. “David Raum loses the header duel, Jamal Musiala gets shoved aside like a schoolboy, Jonathan Tah is out of position. Nobody’s talking about that. Everyone’s picking on Manuel Neuer again. Everyone was calling him out, but now, after a scene like that—which happens so fast—everything’s different again,” he explained.
The former goalkeeper was practically fuming: “Most of you have probably never stood in goal. So, you’d better write about the other players’ mistakes.”
What remains, however, is media skepticism about Neuer’s caliber; after all, he’s made the occasional mistake throughout the season with FC Bayern and has also lost some precision in his passes and goal kicks. A strong performance against Paraguay in the round of 32 would certainly help put an end to the debate.
