Jonas Urbig finally got to start again in FC Bayern’s 2-1 win at SV Elversberg. For the 22-year-old, it was his first Bundesliga appearance of the new season. Given his ambitions with the German national team, such opportunities to prove himself could be incredibly important.
After all, Urbig’s fundamental problem remains: At the German record champions, Manuel Neuer is still the clear No. 1. The 40-year-old has decided to continue his career at least until 2027. As long as Neuer is fit, Urbig is therefore likely to see only sporadic playing time.
This is precisely where Stefan Effenberg sees a potential threat to Urbig’s DFB career. The former Bayern captain believes the youngster urgently needs regular playing time if he wants to make a case for a spot on the national team.
Before the Elversberg match, Effenberg even made a clear demand. “If that’s not the case, he shouldn’t be called up,” the 56-year-old explained on SPORT1’s ‘Doppelpass,’ referring to a possible appearance by Urbig.
Urbig is getting his chance—but will that be enough?
Vincent Kompany met Effenberg’s condition, at least for this weekend. As part of his rotation, the Bayern coach started Urbig against Elversberg and gave Neuer a rest.
For the former Cologne player, it was an important opportunity to prove himself in a competitive setting. However, a single Bundesliga appearance does little to change the underlying problem.
With Marc-André ter Stegen, Oliver Baumann, and Alexander Nübel, there are several competitors who regularly start in goal for their clubs. This factor could play a particularly important role in the battle for a spot on new national team coach Jürgen Klopp’s starting lineup.
Klopp will announce his first DFB squad on September 17. It remains to be seen whether Urbig will be included following his appearance in Elversberg.
Effenberg calls for regular playing time
There’s no question that Effenberg thinks highly of Urbig. His criticism is directed more at Urbig’s lack of playing time. The former national team player had already emphasized before the match: “Urbig needs games. He’s only played one or two.”
This is precisely where the 22-year-old finds himself in a dilemma. At Bayern, he can train daily at the highest level and learn from one of the most successful goalkeepers in soccer history. At the same time, due to Neuer’s special status, he lacks the regular playing time that other DFB candidates can demonstrate.
Loris Karius could also enter the competition in the future. The Schalke goalkeeper has drawn attention with strong performances. However, Effenberg considers an immediate call-up premature: “With Karius, I’d say: Keep it up over the long haul, then he might get another chance.”
For Urbig, therefore, it will be crucial how often Kompany gives him playing time in the coming months. The game in Elversberg was a start. But if the Bayern goalkeeper wants to establish himself permanently in the DFB squad, occasional appearances are unlikely to be enough in the long run.