Bayern boss gives injury update on Manuel Neuer ahead of DFB-Pokal final and World Cup
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
After Manuel Neuer suffered a calf injury in Bayern Munich’s 5-1 win over 1. FC Köln last week, questions have been raised over whether his participation at the World Cup could be in danger.
The 40-year-old underwent tests at Säbener Straße on Friday morning and was subsequently ruled out of Bayern Munich’s DFB-Pokal final against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday.
Despite this, Neuer will be fit in time for the World Cup, according to Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl.
“The World Cup is not in danger, but he can’t play tomorrow. It’s simply too soon after the injury he suffered on Saturday,” Eberl told Bild.
“Therefore, it makes no sense to put him in goal for the cup final with the risk that he could suffer a serious injury. That is why we made the decision together, as difficult as it was for Manu to miss the final. Jonas Urbig will be in goal.”
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed on Thursday that Neuer has come out of international retirement and is set to be the first-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup.
