Germany hopes for Neuer recovery to erase 2018 embarrassment

The last great image of Manuel Neuer in a World Cup was already in stoppage time against South Korea, in 2018, in the 48th minute, when the goalkeeper was disarmed by Ju Se-jong in the middle of the attacking field, where he was trying to help your team avoid embarrassment.

A minute earlier, Germany had already conceded a goal from Kim Young-Gwon and was trailing 1-0. Not even a draw would prevent the Germans from falling. But the ball lost by Neuer sealed the elimination.

With a throw from the defensive field, Ju Se-jong made Son-Heung min shoot to the penalty area, where he arrived free to close the score: 2 to 0.

The Germans had never fallen in the group stage of the World Cup. The worst campaign so far had taken place in 1938, when the tournament was played in knockout stages from the beginning. At the time, they fell in the second match, against Switzerland.

The result in Russia was a very negative mark for the generation led by Neuer, especially due to the favoritism carried after winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with a 7-1 victory over the hosts.

Until 2018, in the four Cups played in the 21st century, the team always reached the semifinals. In addition to the title on Brazilian soil, he had two third places and one runner-up, this one against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, in the edition held in South Korea and Japan.

Leaving the trauma experienced on Russian soil behind and fighting for the title again is Germany’s main objective in Qatar. But obstacles had already begun to emerge well before the dispute.

Less than a month before the start of the tournament, Neuer still doesn’t know if he will be able to participate in the Worlds. For just over two weeks, the goalkeeper has been recovering from a bruise on his shoulder.

For now, coach Hans-Dieter Flick does not guarantee his presence. “I don’t assume he won’t be able to play at the Worlds, I assume he can. But unfortunately, I’m not psychic,” he said.

At Bayern Munich, the 36-year-old goalkeeper has been replaced by Sven Ulreich. In the national team, Ter Stegen was the starter in the last match, when Germany drew 3-3 with England in the League of Nations – the confrontation was almost a luxury friendly, as the English were relegated to League B, and the Germans could no longer fight for a spot in the semifinals.

Although the duel was not worth much for both sides, England left the field more satisfied, as the Germans managed to open 2-0 on the scoreboard, but allowed the tie.

In the Qualifiers, the cast led by Flick was more efficient. With nine wins and only one defeat in ten games, 36 goals scored and only four conceded, they qualified with some tranquility in Group J.

Germany was the first nation to guarantee its presence at the 2022 World Cup after the host country.

In the Middle East, for the first time since 2004, the German coaching staff will not have Joachim Löw. Assistant to Jürgen Klinsmann at the 2006 World Cup and head coach at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups, Löw left the team in August 2021, replaced by Flick.

The new commander has stayed true to the traits that the Germans have had for years, embodying possession-based football and an attractive style.

At the same time, he added that personal touch that fans admired during his time in charge of Bayern Munich. The coach likes to value flexibility in all positions.

Despite counting on a good crop of new talents, such as Havertz, Sané and Musiala, the commander considers it very important to wait for Neuer to recover.

In addition to everything the goalkeeper represents for the national team, his ability to play with his feet makes him a fundamental part of the German scheme.

Even with the failure of the 2018 World Cup, he did not stop being idolized in his country.