Jonas Urbig had little interest in sideshows after the 3-3 draw against Heidenheim. The Bayern keeper was particularly quick to shut down questions about Manuel Neuer.
After the Bundesliga home game in the Allianz Arena, Urbig answered questions from reporters, but left little room for topics off the pitch. The 22-year-old made it clear where his focus is now: „The focus is now clearly on the Paris game.“ On Wednesday evening, the record champions will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League.
Urbig also did not want to go into detail about Manuel Neuer. According to BILD, there are currently many indications that the 40-year-old’s contract, which expires in the summer, will be extended by a further year. The veteran was rested for the PSG second leg against Heidenheim, which is why Urbig was in the Bayern goal.
When Urbig was asked whether he had spoken to Neuer about his plans after the end of the season, he was clearly evasive: „I don’t know if that’s something for the mixed zone right now. At least it’s not something I want to talk about because it’s a decision he’s making. We have so many important games left that it would be completely inappropriate in my position to think about it.“
Urbig is keeping a low profile on a DFB nomination
Even the suggestion that Neuer’s future could have a direct influence on his own role in the coming season didn’t put Urbig off his guard. When asked about this, the keeper simply responded: „Yes, and?“ When a reporter added that the open question of his future must have something to do with him, Urbig only replied: „No!“ He even blocked out the question of whether he would be happy about a Neuer extension: „That’s not a topic that’s on my mind right now. Paris is now!“
Nevertheless, the goalkeeping issue remains an important topic in the background. Neuer is said to have spoken out internally in favour of staying in Munich, with Bayern offering the captain a contract until 2027. A final agreement has not yet been reached, but talks are already underway.
It also became curious when Urbig was asked about possible hopes of a DFB nomination for the World Cup. The Bayern professional initially responded with the counter question: „Is that an issue now?“ When a journalist explained that the goalkeeper issue could soon become relevant for the national team, Urbig replied: „If it’s not an issue now, we don’t need to talk about it, do we?“ When asked if reporters were looking at issues holistically, he simply said: „But I’m not.“
After the draw against Heidenheim, even Bayern TV did not receive a detailed answer about a scene from the game. Urbig explained this by saying: „That was tactical stuff, I’m not going to reveal it.“