According to current plans, Manuel Neuer will remain number one in the German goal at the 2024 European Championship. Given Neuer’s injury, “nothing has changed,” said national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Manuel Neuer was injured, but it was just a torn muscle fiber, said Nagelsmann in Lyon at a press conference before the international match against France on Saturday (March 23, 2024, 9 p.m.).
In a conversation with Marc-André ter Stegen, he emphasized “that I’m happy to have a second world-class keeper. Something can always happen in this position due to its injury history. However, nothing changes in the decision.” Against France, ter Stegen will play in goal instead of Neuer.
National coach Julian Nagelsmann
Neuer’s last international match in Qatar against Costa Rica
Neuer played his last game for the German team to date in the group game against Costa Rica at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After breaking his leg, he was out for a longer period of time. After his return to the Bayern goal almost six months ago, Neuer once again set his sights on taking part in the home European Championship.
“I’m concentrating on myself, on my performance and will give my all again for the national team,” he said and added last weekend about his ambitions for a comeback as number one.
It is uncertain how long Neuer will have to take a break. However, he is unlikely to be available to Bayern beyond the international break. The first game is on March 30th in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund. The quarter-final first leg of the Champions League will take place at Arsenal on April 9th.
Nagelsmann: Mittelstädt and Havertz from the start
Nagelsmann made several statements about the starting eleven against France at the press conference. Kai Havertz has developed very well at Arsenal. “Tomorrow he will start as a central striker. He has a slightly different profile than the other players.”
Nagelsmann also commented on one of the appointed Stuttgart players: “Maximilian Mittelstädt has a good mix of cheeky and humble. He has trained very well and will start tomorrow too,” explains the national coach. Nagelsmann said about returnee Toni Kroos that he was integrating well. “He has no airs at all and has put all his effort into training and has combined very well with the others. He makes a very good impression.”
Contract extension? Nagelsmann doesn’t want to say anything else at first
Nagelsmann’s contract as national coach expires in the summer after the European Championships. What happens next is unclear, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf announced another offer. Nagelsmann said he would only comment again “when there are cards on the table again.”
“The chemistry is right,” Neuendorf told the SID and emphasized: “Julian said that he would like clarity about his future before the European Championship tournament. We certainly won’t ignore such a wish.”