"The scale is different" – Manuel Neuer on how he prepares for Bayern's clash with Real Madrid
| Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images |
Bayern Munich face one of their biggest tests of the season as they travel to Santiago Bernabéu to take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
At 40, Manuel Neuer has played in countless high-pressure games. In an interview with FC Bayern’s club magazine 51', he shares how preparation for a high-stakes European night differs from a standard game.
“I’m a firm believer in maintaining as much normality as possible. Of course, there are external requirements in a final – fixed times for press conferences, joint appearances with the opposition,” Neuer said.
“But the biggest difference is in the atmosphere – more family and friends in attendance, often a match abroad, just this one final, no home-and-away legs.
"The media attention is enormous; you’re more exposed in your private life too, and you start thinking about it weeks in advance. The routine remains similar, but the scale is different.”
The game kicks off at 21:00 CET on Tuesday.
