DFB goalkeeper does not like situation
Ter Stegen “does not share the same opinion” as Nagelsmann
05.06.2024, 15:22
Manuel Neuer will be the goalie for the German national football team at the European Championships on home soil. World-class challenger Marc-André ter Stegen will have to swallow this bitter pill. The FC Barcelona goalkeeper has clear words to say about his situation.
There would have been many arguments for putting Marc-André ter Stegen in goal for the German national team now that the European Championships are starting at home. Top dog Manuel Neuer missed most of the international matches after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to his serious injury following a skiing accident, while ter Stegen impressed in series at FC Barcelona. And established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
In March, when the DFB team was on the ground after two victories over France and the Netherlands, ter Stegen was in goal. And he is probably the only one of the regulars for the double date who still lost his place in the starting eleven. Julian Nagelsmann, the national coach decided early on, will rely on Manuel Neuer for the European Championship opener on June 14 against Scotland, who only recently returned to the DFB goal in the 0:0 draw against Ukraine.
“It’s not a pleasant situation,” admitted ter Stegen in a media round at the European Championship headquarters in Herzogenaurach. The 32-year-old is one of the most high-profile challengers in world football – and yet he has ultimately never had a chance. The standing of the five-time world goalkeeper Neuer is too great. Ter Stegen, who has already played 40 international matches, has to swallow that. “The coach made the decision, and I accept it, even if I don’t agree with him.”
“Will help where I can”
Even if he doesn’t like his situation, he will accept it, says ter Stegen. He knows it too, having been on the bench tournament after tournament since the 2016 European Championship. In eight years, he has not yet played in a World Cup or European Championship. Neuer has always been in goal, having fought his way back into the DFB goal for the 2021 European Championship just in time for the start of the tournament after a long injury break.
“I told the national coach that one is the sporting aspect, the other is the human aspect. I want everyone to be able to rely on me,” ter Stegen assured. “For me personally, it is disappointing, very disappointing. But at the end of the day, you have a responsibility to the group. I will help where I can.”
It is doubtful whether Manuel Neuer will voluntarily leave the goal of the German national team after the European Championship at home. “No matter which team I play for, I always want to be on the pitch,” said the 118-time national player at the end of 2023. The 38-year-old is going into what may be his last major tournament with this ambition.