Nübel reveals Baumann will stand in goal against the Netherlands
The German footballing rumor mills continue to suggest that Nübel's parent club of FC Bayern München may be prepared to exercise an early recall option on his Stuttgart loan deal. A solid debut last night didn't hurt Nübel's chances of replacing Manuel Neuer at club level.
Marc André ter Stegen's injury led to three keepers without on single solitary international cap among them being called up for Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann's October roster. Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart), Oliver Baumann (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) and Janis Blaswich (RB Leipzig) had not yet made their debut at the highest international level entering the break.
It proved unsurprising to witness Nübel receive the first audition last night. The FC Bayern München loanee had long been considered the natural successor to German footballing legend Manuel Neuer. Germany's record champions even snatched up Nübel at the age of 24 from Neuer's old club, FC Schalke 04. Several years and loans later, Nübel may finally be ready to replace Neuer at club level after the current season.
It also remained foreseeable that Nagelsmann would give one of his other two net-minders an audition in Monday's forthcoming Nations League fixture in Munich. Whether it was to be the 34-year-old Baumann or the 33-year-old Blaswich (who has thrived out on loan at RB Salzburg this year) wasn't clear. Nübel revealed that it would be the former in his post-match interview.
"I'm very proud, satisfied, and happy," Nübel said of his first cap, "Oli [Baumann] congratulated me and now I'm looking forward to his debut. I'm looking forward to Bundesliga and Champions' League with Stuttgart."