German Football Team's head coach Julian Nagelsmann has made a bold statement by announcing that legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be starting in goal for Germany at the Euro 2024. The decision comes in as a huge news for the football fans around the world as Germany are spoilt for choices in goal, as they have two of the world's best goalkeepers in the world, Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer and FC Barcelona's Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
“We have made the decision (Neuer will start in goal). Unfortunately Manu got injured but it's just a strain and he will only be out for ten days, so I won't be changing my decision. I also said in a conversation with Marc [Andre Ter Stegen] that I’m happy that we have two world class goalkeepers. I explained to him that it was important that he was there for the two games. An injury can happen at anytime for both.” said Julian Nagelsmann in a press conference on Friday, March 22.
However, the decision comes in as a surpsie, because MarcAndre Ter Stegen has probably been the best German goalkeeper for past 4-5 years and has been the main reason for most of FC Barcelona's successes in past season. On the other hand, since 2020, Manuel Neuer has never been the same and has faced constant injury issues and negligence of Ter Stegen's heroics at club level can potentially lead to backlash from German fans.
Manuel Neuer last played for Germany back at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, where the four-time world champions suffered successive group stage exits.
Germany are subject to play friendly matches with France and Netherlands, both of which are marquee fixtures and potential Euro knockout fixture. Germany will travel to France for the friendly fixture on Sunday, March 24, and will travel back home to host Netherlands for the friendly on Wednesday, March 27.