National team captain Manuel Neuer has reacted in disparagement to criticism from his goalkeeper colleague Marc-André ter Stegen from FC Barcelona. "He has said nothing at the national team, the team does not help, we goalkeepers must hold together," said the Bayern keeper after the 1-1 at RB Leipzig at Sky.
Ter Stegen had given his frustration after his new role as bench-presser in the European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland. "It's not easy to find an explanation for what I'm experiencing, I try my best to make that decision more difficult in every game, but I try everything, but this trip with the national team was a big blow for me," had emphasized the ex-Gladbacher in Spain.
Visibly uncomfortable as number two
He feels in the role as the number two in the selection of the German Football Association (DFB) visibly uncomfortable, after he had to leave the position as the keeper at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a recent injury returned Neuer.
He was not personally criticized by ter Stegen, said Neuer on Saturday. However, he also seems to complain about a lack of respect for his person: "I also show very good performances." Also in Leipzig, the 33-year-old was several times distinguished.
Although coach Joachim Löw ter Stegen had promised more time in the DFB selection, the 27-year-old sat in Hamburg against the Netherlands (2: 4) and in Northern Ireland (2: 0) only on the bench. After the home defeat against the Netherlands Löw "did not want to change the goalkeeper". Neuer offered a good performance in Belfast.
