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Four years is a long time in football. Shortly before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa Manuel Neuer became first choice in the German goal, with Tim Wiese and Jörg Butt as his understudies. At the current tournament two of the three faces in the goalkeeping team have changed, with Ron-Robert Zieler and Roman Weidenfeller now part of the setup. They are backups to the same number one keeper, but the four years have brought much change for Neuer too. He left his boyhood club Schalke and joined Bayern, becoming a treble-winner and being named the World's Best Goalkeeper.
Neuer is now seeking to live up to his exalted billing at the World Cup in Brazil. The next opportunity to shine comes on Saturday (live on ARD from 9 pm CET) when Germany face Ghana in Fortaleza looking to take the second step towards the knockout stages. DFB.de reporter Steffen Lüdeke sat down with Neuer for a exclusive chat about the World Cup, his injury and his fellow goalkeepers.
DFB.de: Manuel, you beat Portugal 4–0. Scoring four goals is great, but would you agree conceding none is even better?
Manuel Neuer: The three points were the best thing of all. It was important to start well and lay down a marker right away, and the result says it all.
DFB.de: Only the result? Surely Germany played convincing football as well…
Neuer: I think we can be only partially satisfied with the way we played. We didn't do everything right after Portugal went down to ten men. We should be honest when we assess our performances. We were awarded a penalty and they had a man sent off, so it was the kind of game where everything basically went our way. We used our extra man to control the match in the second half, but we can't hide the fact our opponents created chances of their own. Not everything was perfect, but that’s actually helped us. It gave us a couple of areas to work on in training after the game. It also means there's less danger of complacency following a 4–0 victory.
DFB.de: So you don't think there's a danger the team might start thinking 90 percent will do against Ghana?
Neuer: No, I don't think so. It's definitely not the impression I've had in training. We all know there can be no let up. And like I said, it was far from perfect against Portugal and we know it.
DFB.de: Ronaldo was lining up a free-kick shortly before the end but you took men out of the wall. Why?
Neuer: It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. I always have relatively few players in the wall. The smaller the wall, the better my positioning. I can take up a position in the centre of the goal, and I can get to either corner with one pace. I can also see the ball better. I feel relatively secure in free-kick situations provided they’re a certain distance out, and that's exactly the situation we had against Portugal. I'm obviously aware Ronaldo has a great shot on him, but I was certain it wouldn't be that dangerous from that distance.
DFB.de: You've come back from injury, so was not conceding a goal even more valuable to you personally? Was it also good to be in the thick of the action at times in the match?
Neuer: I actually like it if I have to get involved in the early stages, although obviously my game is based on that not happening (laughs). It's easier for me later on if I get into the game at the start, it's always helpful. As for keeping clean sheets I'm always delighted regardless of the injury business. In the build-up to the game I didn't think once about the long lay-off. It really wasn't a big deal, because I always knew I'd be back in good time.
DFB.de: Were you really not worried in the slightest? Was there never any doubt?
Neuer: Once I'd seen the first images from the MRI scan I was sure there'd be enough time. That's exactly what the doctors told me and I knew I could trust them.
DFB.de: You’re still having medical treatment here in Campo, so are there a few remaining problems?
Neuer: No, continuing the treatment is totally normal. I can do everything I need for my game without any trouble at all. The treatment I'm having here is more or less cosmetic, it's absolutely nothing serious.
DFB.de: The back four for the Portugal clash was unfamiliar to say the least. How much does the composition of the defensive line influence your game?
Neuer: It wasn't a new situation for me to have four players directly in front of me who are all recognised centre-backs. It meant our back four was exceptionally strong in the tackle. That was especially helpful in the situation where our main aim was to stifle counter-attacks. We tackled high up the field, we went looking for the challenges and we won a lot of them.
DFB.de: Did you have to issue more instructions than normal due to the unusual make-up of the back four?
Neuer: I don't organise things differently just because I have different players in defence. My job is always to communicate with my team-mates so we keep it tight at the back.
DFB.de: Sure, but did you have to shout more instructions to make sure it happened this time?
Neuer: Not necessarily, because it depends on how the players are doing. If it all looks good, if their positioning and movement is right, there's no need for me to hand out instructions. I'm no friend of yelling for the sake of it. I've said we weren't perfect, but we won and kept a clean sheet, so we've not done that much wrong in defence.
DFB.de: You’ve been in Brazil for almost two weeks now. How do you like it here in Campo Bahia?
Neuer: This is my third tournament, but we've never had it as good as it is here. It’s no distance at all to the training ground, and they've thought of everything in terms of life at the team base. We're having a good time here. We’re being looked after well and it's easy to switch off. It's all come together.
DFB.de: This is your second World Cup. You became first-choice goalkeeper shortly before the World Cup in South Africa. Comparing Neuer before South Africa to Neuer before South America, what are the similarities and how big are the differences?
Neuer: I think I've come on and developed in a totally normal way. I'm older and I've gained a lot of important experience. Every game helps and I've been part of it a lot more in Europe and internationally. These are the things that help you mature as a player. You become more calm and composed. But apart from that I really don't think I've changed in any significant way.
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DFB.de: The goalkeeping team here at the 2014 World Cup is relatively unfamiliar as you’re training alongside Ron-Robert Zieler and Roman Weidenfeller. How do you think it's going?
Neuer: We've always struck up a very good partnership in the goalkeeping team throughout my time with Germany. That was the case four years ago, it was the case two years ago, and it’s the case now. The important things for us are mutual respect and understanding, and we have that unconditionally in the team led by Andi Köpke. We help and support each other, which is the way it has to be.
DFB.de: A lot of the outfield players are saying the World Cup in Brazil is particularly special. Brazil are five-time world champions, and the nation stands for the beautiful game, for Pelé, Zico and Ronaldo. But we don't really associate outstanding goalkeepers with Brazil. Or have you in fact been dazzled by a Brazilian keeper in the past?
Neuer: You always tend to remember successful teams and players so I can certainly think of a couple of outstanding Brazilian keepers, Taffarel for example, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994. But you're right, I didn't really have a Brazilian goalkeeper as an idol or role model. I have no idea why that is, maybe because we've never had that many Brazilian keepers in Europe.
DFB.de: You play alongside two Brazilians with Bayern. Did you discuss the World Cup with Dante and Rafinha on a regular basis?
Neuer: We talked about it a lot in the build-up and we’re still doing so now. We've not broken off relations. We’re sending each other news and photos. I'm really glad I'm getting to know a little bit about their country. They've talked about it a lot but it's always different when you see things with your own eyes.
DFB.de: And do you like the things you've seen with your own eyes?
Neuer: What I can confirm for now is that Brazil is multifaceted to say the least. We've only been out and about in the north-east so far, but I've already seen the huge variety. I'm intrigued about what we’ll find if we progress and go to the south. What you can't overlook are the extremes between wealth and poverty. The gap between rich and poor is vast here in Brazil and the contrasts are huge. But I also sense the people basically have a positive outlook despite the poverty. They have a good attitude and great charisma. It's obvious they face problems, but there's real joie de vivre here.
DFB.de: Where have you picked that up?
Neuer: Not least here at the Campo, among the people doing such a great job on our behalf. Their language is music and dance. I've often seen the staff here singing as they go about their business. If I look them in the face, I almost always see joy and happiness. It's unmistakable and it's infectious.
DFB.de: You now face Ghana in Fortaleza. What are your expectations of the match?
Neuer: I've always said we start with the first final and we'll hopefully contest seven finals in total, so the game against Ghana is our second final. Compared to the Portugal match we have to try and keep it a bit tighter and close down more of the space, and we don't want to drop too deep either. Ghana have very confident individuals prepared to try totally unorthodox things and shoot on sight from every angle.
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[bild1]
Four years is a long time in football. Shortly before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa Manuel Neuer became first choice in the German goal, with Tim Wiese and Jörg Butt as his understudies. At the current tournament two of the three faces in the goalkeeping team have changed, with Ron-Robert Zieler and Roman Weidenfeller now part of the setup. They are backups to the same number one keeper, but the four years have brought much change for Neuer too. He left his boyhood club Schalke and joined Bayern, becoming a treble-winner and being named the World's Best Goalkeeper.
Neuer is now seeking to live up to his exalted billing at the World Cup in Brazil. The next opportunity to shine comes on Saturday (live on ARD from 9 pm CET) when Germany face Ghana in Fortaleza looking to take the second step towards the knockout stages. DFB.de reporter Steffen Lüdeke sat down with Neuer for a exclusive chat about the World Cup, his injury and his fellow goalkeepers.
DFB.de: Manuel, you beat Portugal 4–0. Scoring four goals is great, but would you agree conceding none is even better?
Manuel Neuer: The three points were the best thing of all. It was important to start well and lay down a marker right away, and the result says it all.
DFB.de: Only the result? Surely Germany played convincing football as well…
Neuer: I think we can be only partially satisfied with the way we played. We didn't do everything right after Portugal went down to ten men. We should be honest when we assess our performances. We were awarded a penalty and they had a man sent off, so it was the kind of game where everything basically went our way. We used our extra man to control the match in the second half, but we can't hide the fact our opponents created chances of their own. Not everything was perfect, but that’s actually helped us. It gave us a couple of areas to work on in training after the game. It also means there's less danger of complacency following a 4–0 victory.
DFB.de: So you don't think there's a danger the team might start thinking 90 percent will do against Ghana?
Neuer: No, I don't think so. It's definitely not the impression I've had in training. We all know there can be no let up. And like I said, it was far from perfect against Portugal and we know it.
DFB.de: Ronaldo was lining up a free-kick shortly before the end but you took men out of the wall. Why?
Neuer: It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. I always have relatively few players in the wall. The smaller the wall, the better my positioning. I can take up a position in the centre of the goal, and I can get to either corner with one pace. I can also see the ball better. I feel relatively secure in free-kick situations provided they’re a certain distance out, and that's exactly the situation we had against Portugal. I'm obviously aware Ronaldo has a great shot on him, but I was certain it wouldn't be that dangerous from that distance.
DFB.de: You've come back from injury, so was not conceding a goal even more valuable to you personally? Was it also good to be in the thick of the action at times in the match?
Neuer: I actually like it if I have to get involved in the early stages, although obviously my game is based on that not happening (laughs). It's easier for me later on if I get into the game at the start, it's always helpful. As for keeping clean sheets I'm always delighted regardless of the injury business. In the build-up to the game I didn't think once about the long lay-off. It really wasn't a big deal, because I always knew I'd be back in good time.
DFB.de: Were you really not worried in the slightest? Was there never any doubt?
Neuer: Once I'd seen the first images from the MRI scan I was sure there'd be enough time. That's exactly what the doctors told me and I knew I could trust them.
DFB.de: You’re still having medical treatment here in Campo, so are there a few remaining problems?
Neuer: No, continuing the treatment is totally normal. I can do everything I need for my game without any trouble at all. The treatment I'm having here is more or less cosmetic, it's absolutely nothing serious.
DFB.de: The back four for the Portugal clash was unfamiliar to say the least. How much does the composition of the defensive line influence your game?
Neuer: It wasn't a new situation for me to have four players directly in front of me who are all recognised centre-backs. It meant our back four was exceptionally strong in the tackle. That was especially helpful in the situation where our main aim was to stifle counter-attacks. We tackled high up the field, we went looking for the challenges and we won a lot of them.
DFB.de: Did you have to issue more instructions than normal due to the unusual make-up of the back four?
Neuer: I don't organise things differently just because I have different players in defence. My job is always to communicate with my team-mates so we keep it tight at the back.
DFB.de: Sure, but did you have to shout more instructions to make sure it happened this time?
Neuer: Not necessarily, because it depends on how the players are doing. If it all looks good, if their positioning and movement is right, there's no need for me to hand out instructions. I'm no friend of yelling for the sake of it. I've said we weren't perfect, but we won and kept a clean sheet, so we've not done that much wrong in defence.
DFB.de: You’ve been in Brazil for almost two weeks now. How do you like it here in Campo Bahia?
Neuer: This is my third tournament, but we've never had it as good as it is here. It’s no distance at all to the training ground, and they've thought of everything in terms of life at the team base. We're having a good time here. We’re being looked after well and it's easy to switch off. It's all come together.
DFB.de: This is your second World Cup. You became first-choice goalkeeper shortly before the World Cup in South Africa. Comparing Neuer before South Africa to Neuer before South America, what are the similarities and how big are the differences?
Neuer: I think I've come on and developed in a totally normal way. I'm older and I've gained a lot of important experience. Every game helps and I've been part of it a lot more in Europe and internationally. These are the things that help you mature as a player. You become more calm and composed. But apart from that I really don't think I've changed in any significant way.
[bild2]
DFB.de: The goalkeeping team here at the 2014 World Cup is relatively unfamiliar as you’re training alongside Ron-Robert Zieler and Roman Weidenfeller. How do you think it's going?
Neuer: We've always struck up a very good partnership in the goalkeeping team throughout my time with Germany. That was the case four years ago, it was the case two years ago, and it’s the case now. The important things for us are mutual respect and understanding, and we have that unconditionally in the team led by Andi Köpke. We help and support each other, which is the way it has to be.
DFB.de: A lot of the outfield players are saying the World Cup in Brazil is particularly special. Brazil are five-time world champions, and the nation stands for the beautiful game, for Pelé, Zico and Ronaldo. But we don't really associate outstanding goalkeepers with Brazil. Or have you in fact been dazzled by a Brazilian keeper in the past?
Neuer: You always tend to remember successful teams and players so I can certainly think of a couple of outstanding Brazilian keepers, Taffarel for example, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994. But you're right, I didn't really have a Brazilian goalkeeper as an idol or role model. I have no idea why that is, maybe because we've never had that many Brazilian keepers in Europe.
DFB.de: You play alongside two Brazilians with Bayern. Did you discuss the World Cup with Dante and Rafinha on a regular basis?
Neuer: We talked about it a lot in the build-up and we’re still doing so now. We've not broken off relations. We’re sending each other news and photos. I'm really glad I'm getting to know a little bit about their country. They've talked about it a lot but it's always different when you see things with your own eyes.
DFB.de: And do you like the things you've seen with your own eyes?
Neuer: What I can confirm for now is that Brazil is multifaceted to say the least. We've only been out and about in the north-east so far, but I've already seen the huge variety. I'm intrigued about what we’ll find if we progress and go to the south. What you can't overlook are the extremes between wealth and poverty. The gap between rich and poor is vast here in Brazil and the contrasts are huge. But I also sense the people basically have a positive outlook despite the poverty. They have a good attitude and great charisma. It's obvious they face problems, but there's real joie de vivre here.
DFB.de: Where have you picked that up?
Neuer: Not least here at the Campo, among the people doing such a great job on our behalf. Their language is music and dance. I've often seen the staff here singing as they go about their business. If I look them in the face, I almost always see joy and happiness. It's unmistakable and it's infectious.
DFB.de: You now face Ghana in Fortaleza. What are your expectations of the match?
Neuer: I've always said we start with the first final and we'll hopefully contest seven finals in total, so the game against Ghana is our second final. Compared to the Portugal match we have to try and keep it a bit tighter and close down more of the space, and we don't want to drop too deep either. Ghana have very confident individuals prepared to try totally unorthodox things and shoot on sight from every angle.
