Neuer: Yes, it was a clear improvement. We were a lot more compact as a team. The game against Leverkusen could have ended 6-3 – it really was end-to-end. Against Werder, we made sure to not leave any space in our third of the pitch. We’re pleased with the clean sheet.
DFB.de: Why did you decide to pull out of international duty despite your comeback in the league?
Neuer: It wasn’t only my decision to skip international duty.
DFB.de: So it was agreed upon?
Neuer: Of course, Joachim Löw and I spoke about it on the telephone. It’s not the player who decides whether he plays or not, but the head coach. I would have liked to be there, but what is clear is that it’s better that I play a few games with Bayern before going back for international duty.
DFB.de: Are you annoyed with the decision?
Neuer: We don’t want to take any risks, especially because I’ve been out for four months. I had agreed with Andreas Köpke and the national head coach that I would play against Bremen and then see how my foot felt. The international games are on Friday and Monday. Given that I didn’t participate in any pre season games, to miss out this time was the logical decision. The people responsible want to make sure nothing happens – the world cup is next summer already…
DFB.de: The national team won the Confed Cup in Russia this summer. Did you follow the games?
After many months on the sidelines with injury, world champion, Manuel Neuer, made a successful comeback in Bayern Münich’s 2-0 win over SV Werder Bremen. All the same a return to international duty in Prague against the Czech Republic on Friday and then against Norway on September 4th will come too early. In an interview with DFB.de, Neuer talks about his club-level comeback and the reasons for delaying his return to international duty.
DFB.de: Mr. Neuer, how did it feel to return to the starting line-up with the win at Werder Bremen?
Manuel Neuer: It was great to be back on the pitch to be able to help the team. I’m just happy to be playing again – that is the most important. I spent long enough on the sidelines, it’s important for me now to stay healthy.
DFB.de: You broke your foot in the away game against Real Madrid (2-4 loss after extra-time) in the middle of April. How did your foot feel after the match?
Neuer: I didn’t have that much to do – it was mostly kicking long balls. There was no problem.
DFB.de: Bayern’s performance until Lewandowski’s brace was occasionally somewhat pedestrian.
Neuer: We were too slow on the ball in the first half and it was difficult to break down a Bremen side with five defenders. They played man-to-man across the whole field so we always knew they would tire and holes would begin to show. That’s when we started to pass the ball around quicker. The quality of Robert Lewandowski showed – he is always a danger.
DFB.de: Was the clean sheet an improvement on the 3-1 victory against Bayer Leverkusen?
Neuer: Yes, it was a clear improvement. We were a lot more compact as a team. The game against Leverkusen could have ended 6-3 – it really was end-to-end. Against Werder, we made sure to not leave any space in our third of the pitch. We’re pleased with the clean sheet.
DFB.de: Why did you decide to pull out of international duty despite your comeback in the league?
Neuer: It wasn’t only my decision to skip international duty.
DFB.de: So it was agreed upon?
Neuer: Of course, Joachim Löw and I spoke about it on the telephone. It’s not the player who decides whether he plays or not, but the head coach. I would have liked to be there, but what is clear is that it’s better that I play a few games with Bayern before going back for international duty.
DFB.de: Are you annoyed with the decision?
Neuer: We don’t want to take any risks, especially because I’ve been out for four months. I had agreed with Andreas Köpke and the national head coach that I would play against Bremen and then see how my foot felt. The international games are on Friday and Monday. Given that I didn’t participate in any pre season games, to miss out this time was the logical decision. The people responsible want to make sure nothing happens – the world cup is next summer already…
DFB.de: The national team won the Confed Cup in Russia this summer. Did you follow the games?
Neuer: From my holidays, yes.
DFB.de: Do you think Marc-André ter Stegen has established himself as number 2 after his performances?
Neuer: The national team staff hasn’t said anything about the second goalkeeper. We will see how it develops. All I know is that we have a lot of very good goalkeepers, and that includes the three we have in the squad for the international break (alongside ter Stegen are Bernd Leno and Kevin Trapp). We don’t have any problems in this area. I have my fingers crossed for the boys. For my part, I’ll keep working on my recovery.
