Is there a threat of FC Bayern and DFB?
Summer shakes untouchable Neuer
A commentary by Justin Kraft
01/19/2023, 4:12 p.m
FC Bayern Munich have signed Yann Sommer as a replacement for Manuel Neuer – and this may herald the beginning of a new era between the posts of the record champions. Because the chances are good that the newcomer from Borussia Mönchengladbach will be the first goalkeeper in the new season.
Yann Sommer has a unique opportunity: Not only can he win numerous titles within a few months with FC Bayern Munich, but he can also secure a regular place in goal at a top club. The story is well known: Manuel Neuer was seriously injured after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
How hard is still a bit of a mystery to this day. Recently there was speculation that the multiple world goalkeeper did not break his lower leg, but suffered a broken tibia and fibula. That would further increase the downtime and also make it more difficult to return to the previous level. However, there is no official announcement yet.
- Justin Kraft is a freelance writer and blogger at miasanrot.de.
- Born in 1993, he came into contact with FC Bayern through the “Kahn Generation”.
- Soccer-socialized with the “Generation lame climbers“, to whom he even dedicated a book named after her in 2019.
Nevertheless, Neuer’s uncertainty is now the great opportunity for Sommer, who has been chronically underestimated for years. At 1.83 meters, the Swiss is one of the smaller goalkeepers in world football. A superficiality, because of which he was often confronted with skepticism. Although Sommer has shown over the years in the Bundesliga that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, he has rarely been seriously included in any debates.
Manuel Neuer was unsure even before the World Cup
The 34-year-old is possibly even the best that the top German league currently has – despite Neuer. Because the Bayern keeper has not exactly shone with consistency in the past few months. Already at the beginning of the season he made a bad mistake in the 6-1 win in Frankfurt and was responsible for the only goal conceded. In the weeks that followed, he seemed a bit unsure on several occasions – especially with the ball on his foot. Unusual for him.
Neuer has lost its shine. He is now conceding goals that cannot be interpreted as a clear mistake, but which he would have prevented earlier. For example, Youssoufa Moukoko’s goal in the 2-2 win in Dortmund, which the Bayern keeper was unable to parry because he was in a bad position and was too sluggish. The situation in Berlin is similar, where Dodi Lukebakio completed the 1:3 with a powerful shot. Also a deal that didn’t seem untenable. Especially not for someone like Neuer.
In both games, to be fair, the 36-year-old was already dealing with health problems. But that’s also part of the story: Neuer has been absent more and more often in the recent past and when he was fit he was rarely the exceptional athlete he once was.
Now with Sommer comes someone who has the quality to inherit the former Schalke. Maybe not at the level that Neuer once had. Certainly on the one he had last – and maybe even a little bit higher. And that is exactly where the danger lies for Neuer, who still has a big goal in mind with the 2024 European Championship.
Not only Yann Sommer could benefit from injury
If Sommer manages to present the performances he has shown so far at FC Bayern, there is hardly any reason not to set him up as number one in the coming season. In addition to the Swiss, the big beneficiaries would also be Marc-André ter Stegen. His history at the DFB is mostly unfortunate, but at the age of 30 he also has the chance to emancipate himself from Neuer and become number one in the DFB goal in the medium term.
So far, the association has been reluctant to comment on this story. There is still no reason to panic. But the scenario that Sommer prevails in Munich against a newcomer who is no longer at his level after another long injury is not unlikely.
Hansi Flick would then have little choice but to set up the goalkeeper who plays regularly for his club. And if for some reason that is not ter Stegen, there is another alternative with Kevin Trapp in Frankfurt. Accordingly, Sommer should have won a few fans beyond Munich.
Admittedly, there are a few subjunctive moods in this scenario. Now, in January, it’s hard to predict how Neuer will be after his injury. The Bayern captain has proven often enough in the past that he can deal with injuries, also has a huge standing with the record champions and will have his chance to return. And yet FC Bayern just paid eight million euros for Sommer and gave him a contract until 2025. Knowing full well that Neuer’s return is not a sure thing.
After all, the two-time Champions League winner has a man at his side in Oliver Kahn who knows exactly what it’s like to miss out on a regular place at the DFB before a big home tournament. It’s not that far yet, but everyone is probably prepared for an emergency.