DFB goalie is set

Neuer or Ter Stegen? Nagelsmann has decided

Manuel Neuer will once again be in goal for the German national soccer team at the home European Championships. According to dpa information, national coach Julian Nagelsmann has decided in favor of the FC Bayern Munich goalkeeper, who has returned to the DFB squad after a long injury break, almost three months before the opening match in Munich against Scotland and the upcoming international matches against France and the Netherlands.

Marc-André ter Stegen of FC Barcelona once again only has the role of number two at a major tournament. There was initially no official confirmation from the DFB on Wednesday. However, Nagelsmann had announced at the squad announcement last week that he wanted to talk to the players invited about their future roles on Monday and Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Neuer and ter Stegen, who is six years younger, have been rivals in the DFB squad for twelve years. After DFB regular keeper Neuer suffered a serious leg fracture in a skiing accident following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the time seemed to have come for ter Stegen.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen only plays second fiddle.(Bild: APA/AFP/Pau BARRENA)

118th international appearance for Neuer
During Neuer's long absence, the former Gladbach player finally saw himself on the way to his first major tournament as number one. Neuer has been in goal for the DFB at every World Cup and European Championship final since 2010. The Bayern captain is set to play his 118th international match against France in Lyon on Saturday since making his debut in 2009. Ter Stegen has made 38 appearances in the DFB goal since 2012.

Neuer's highlight for the national team was winning the title at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Ter Stegen, on the other hand, was only in goal for the 2017 Confederations Cup win, when then national coach Joachim Löw fielded a young team in Russia without a regular keeper like Neuer.

Manuel Neuer (in green) became world champion with Germany in 2014.(Bild: AFPFABRICE COFFRINI/AFP)

After his comeback in the Bayern goal almost six months ago, the ambitious Neuer also set himself the goal of participating in the home European Championships again. "I'm concentrating on myself, on my performance and will give my all again for the national team," he said last weekend about his ambitions to make a comeback as number one, adding: "The coach will then decide."