Anyone remember Manuel Neuer’s reaction after Germany’s World Cup debacle in Qatar? Then one of history’s best goalkeepers went on a skiing holiday and let out steam on the slopes. Result: Knee fracture and an injury absence that went well into the next season. Bayern Munich were then forced to dive for a new goalkeeper. Now Neuer is back with another unnecessary injury. Fortunately, not as serious, but potentially very expensive.
For Bayern Munich, losing the goalkeeper who can turn around or decide the biggest games with his world-class play could be a huge loss of income.
Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen had to face the fact on Wednesday that their rivals in Munich have risen to the occasion with Vincent Kompany as coach. The Neuer injury came in between this.
Because when Jamal Musiala scored 2-0 after 54 minutes, Manuel Neuer was so jubilant and jumping happy that the 39-year-old celebrated more than his legs could handle. Four minutes later, the captain had to be replaced.
After the game, Kompany confirmed that it was the celebration that took the captain.
-At this moment I have no news about Manuel, but it is true that when he celebrated the goal, he injured himself. It looks like his calf, but we’ll see,” the Bayern coach said according to German Sky Sports.
The German media claims Neuer could miss three or four games for Bayern, including the second leg against Bayer Leverkusen next week.
Maybe taking it too far, but: If Bayer Leverkusen ends up turning this around and sending Bayern out of the Champions League due to weaknesses in the last defence, this is an injury that will go down in history as one of the most expensive.
A goalkeeper who played his 150. Champions League match on Wednesday, should have known wider.
