A change in goal is on the horizon at FC Bayern. Following the disappointing 2-2 draw against FC Augsburg, Manuel Neuer is set to be rested for the upcoming Champions League match against Viking Stavanger. Instead, Jonas Urbig will apparently take his place between the posts. However, this does not signal a permanent change in the starting lineup.
As reported by the Abendzeitung München, the 23-year-old will be in the starting lineup on Tuesday evening in Norway. For Urbig, it would be his third competitive appearance of the current season.
The decision comes at a sensitive time. After all, Neuer made a costly mistake against Augsburg on Saturday, leading to the fastest goal conceded in Bundesliga history.
Robin Fellhauer put the hosts ahead after just eight seconds. The Bayern captain also didn’t look particularly good on the second goal. Subsequently, the debate over his future in the Munich goal has grown significantly louder.
Neuer himself hints at a goalkeeper change
Interestingly, Neuer apparently already expects his young rival to see action. When asked by the *Abendzeitung* who would be in goal for Bayern against Viking Stavanger, the 40-year-old simply replied, “I have a hunch.”
This terse statement aligns with reports that coach Vincent Kompany wants to start Urbig in the Champions League.
However, the idea of giving Neuer a rest in Stavanger is said to have been in the works even before the Augsburg game. One possible reason is the artificial turf on which the match in Norway will be played.
This presents Urbig with another opportunity to gain international experience and prove himself worthy of additional playing time.
Eberl makes it clear: Neuer remains the number one
Despite the impending goalkeeper change, Bayern officials do not want to leave any doubt about the current pecking order.
Sporting Director Max Eberl explicitly told BILD that Neuer continues to enjoy the club’s full confidence. “There is absolutely no reason to question anything just because Manuel made a mistake,” the 52-year-old emphasized.
At the same time, Eberl praised Urbig’s development and highlighted the support provided by Bayern’s longtime captain. “Jonas is developing exceptionally well, and Manu has played a very, very big role in that. He remains our number one,” the sporting director clarified.
In doing so, Eberl made it clear that Urbig’s potential playing time should not be seen as a direct consequence of Neuer’s blunder against Augsburg.
Bayern plans to give Urbig more playing time
Regardless of the current discussion, the Munich club has a clear plan for Urbig. The 23-year-old is expected to see significantly more playing time this season than he did last year.
In this way, club officials aim to gradually prepare the young goalkeeper for his future role as the starting goalkeeper.
Most recently, Urbig had already drawn attention to himself with strong performances for the German national team. Now he could also make a case for himself at the club level.
For Kompany, the Champions League match against Stavanger offers a good opportunity to give his young goalkeeper playing time at the international level.
For the time being, however, the division of roles remains unchanged: Neuer is the number one, and Urbig is his designated successor. How quickly that changes will likely depend on the performances of both goalkeepers in the coming months.