Manuel Neuer and Marc-André Ter Stegen, duel of giants

"It's like comparing Messi and Ronaldo, both are awesome!" Benedikt Höwedes, who has rubbed shoulders with Manuel Neuer and Marc-André Ter Stegen in the national team, refuses to choose between the goalkeepers of Bayern and Barcelona, ​​opposed Friday in the Champions League quarterfinals (9 p.m., RMC Sport). Global references to their post, national team contenders, they exchanged a few bittersweet words last September when Ter Stegen made it clear he didn't understand why Neuer, now 34, remained number one. indestructible, captain of the Mannschaft. The hot Uli Hoeness, then president of Bayern, had intervened by saying that Ter Stegen had "no right" to claim a position where Neuer was obviously the best. Since then, the two players have sought to minimize the incident, but the fact is there: at 28 years old, the Barça goalkeeper is still patient in the anteroom of the selection. He only has 24 capes when Neuer has 92! The Champions League is therefore an opportunity for him to show himself again to coach Joachim Löw, while taking symbolic revenge on his Munich rival.

"In this area, Neuer was the gold standard, but the Ter Stegen copy has become a little better than the original"

In the small game of comparison, it is difficult to decide between them, except to note that Neuer is taller, 1.92 m against 1.87 m. "In several areas that characterize modern goalkeepers, I consider them to be tied: playing on their line, one-on-one duels, charisma, and even in a penalty shoot-out," said Bodo Illgner, world champion. 1990 in the goals of the German team. “As a boss in his area,” he continues, “I see Neuer a little stronger than Ter Stegen. But both are great when it comes to being the 11th outfield. Neuer was the gold standard in this area, but the Ter Stegen copy just got a little better than the original. ” In the round of 16 second leg last week, Ter Stegen took an advantage. Unbeatable on his line, ubiquitous ball at the foot in the recovery, he only lost against Naples on a penalty (3-1). Neuer bears some responsibility for the goal against Chelsea (4-1). In the Champions League this season, Neuer has evolved behind a block of exceptional strength, and has therefore had fewer opportunities to shine. Barcelona, ​​on the other hand, owe their place in the quarter-finals to Ter Stegen: against Dortmund, Inter and Prague in the group stage, he was often the man of the match.

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In the locker room and in their respective clubs, the two men are also tauliers. Neuer is Bayern captain and, although he never raises his voice, is unanimously respected. His contract has been extended this season until 2023, the year he turns 37. What to give confidence. At Barca, Ter Stegen is the second baseman after Messi, and his leaders are eager to extend him too. “You can say they are the two best goalkeepers in the world,” Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka said. “It's good to have Manu behind us, he brings a feeling of security which would be good for all the clubs. But Marc-André has become a world-class goalkeeper in Barcelona. Germany are spoiled with their goalkeepers. " Both will have a challenge on Friday at the height of their talent. Neuer will face Lionel Messi, the man who scores alien goals. And Ter Stegen will find himself head to head with Robert Lewandowski, the Polish striker with 13 goals in the Champions League, at the top of his game at 31 years old. Difficult to choose which is worse ...

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