Despite injury!

Nagelsmann: Neuer is the first-choice goalkeeper at the European Championships

German team boss Julian Nagelsmann is still planning on Manuel Neuer as the number one goalkeeper for the home European Championships, even if the Bayern goalkeeper is ruled out for the March internationals against France and the Netherlands following a training injury.

"The decision doesn't change because of a torn muscle fiber," said Nagelsmann on Friday in Lyon: "It's only a minor injury, he won't be out for eight months."

Manuel Neuer(Bild: Eibner / EXPA / picturedesk.com)

"I'm glad to God"
The 37-year-old Neuer was due to make his comeback in the DFB goal in Lyon on Saturday following his serious leg fracture after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, he injured his thigh in training. Marc-André ter Stegen from FC Barcelona will now play at the Groupama Stadium. "I'm glad that we have two world-class goalkeepers. Marc has the chance to be there now," said Nagelsmann about the 31-year-old, who is expected to play another tournament as number two behind Neuer at the EURO.

Nagelsmann had held talks with the two top German goalkeepers about their European Championship roles before Neuer's injury. "I don't revise every decision. Manu played for an extremely long time," said the coach. Neuer will probably only be out for ten days with the injury. However, the 2014 World Cup winner will only be able to return to the DFB goal in the final test matches against Ukraine and Greece before the start of the European Championship at the beginning of June.