The rotation on the DFB team is in full swing. After the first two games in the Nations League, Jürgen Klopp shuffled nearly the entire roster. As a result, Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig is now part of the squad—and he has big plans.
It’s a rather unusual situation with Urbig. The young goalkeeper, who undoubtedly has enormous potential, isn’t a regular starter for FC Bayern. He’s being groomed as the number one for when Manuel Neuer steps down.
Nevertheless, he brings such an intriguing overall package to the table that he’s already part of the national team’s goalkeeping staff. He’ll get the chance to showcase his skills in Thursday’s match against Serbia in Munich.
Urbig wants to make the most of his opportunity
Jürgen Klopp sent a clear signal early on. Urbig was the player called to the press conference. That usually only happens when a player is set to start in the upcoming match. Confirmation followed that evening. So, in the third DFB match under Klopp, the third goalkeeper will be in net. The national team coach is thus deliberately using the first few games to try things out.
Urbig, who was already part of the World Cup squad this summer as a backup goalkeeper, has set his sights high and wants to show his very best form. If he achieves that, he can solidify his position in the DFB’s goalkeeper hierarchy. It’s an open race, even though Klopp has expressed a great deal of confidence in Marc-André ter Stegen.
The door is open for Urbig
It’s conceivable that Klopp will name a clear number one by the start of the European Championship qualifiers next year at the latest. Until then, the top candidates will have a chance to prove themselves. Ter Stegen played in the first match against the Netherlands; he was wide awake on the line and made several good saves, but he had some issues with the ball at his feet—problems that have also cropped up repeatedly at his new club, Ajax.
Urbig is a goalkeeper who brings a lot to the table, especially in terms of his footballing ability. His long passes are pinpoint accurate, and as Bayern’s goalkeeper, he repeatedly initiates his own attacks. This could give him an edge. Alexander Nübel, who played against Greece, meanwhile faced a completely different problem. He was hardly tested at all and was powerless to prevent the goal. It’s therefore difficult to give a detailed assessment, aside, of course, from his performances in training.
With a strong performance against Serbia, Bayern goalkeeper Urbig would now have the chance to make a lasting impression and secure his place as an integral part of the goalkeeping squad. That would make him at least a contender for the starting spot.
The argument that he must be a regular at his club to play in goal holds only limited weight. On the one hand, Urbig has played in more games than ter Stegen in recent months; on the other hand, it’s about the overall package he brings to the table. And not just the number of minutes played. So Urbig has a real chance to rise in the national team coach’s estimation with a strong performance.