The goalkeeper’s position in the German national team has long been a sensitive issue
The German media scrutinize every detail, whether it is the subject of debate or not
The goalkeeper’s position in the German national team was a sensitive topic for a long time, between Ter Stegen and Manuel Neuer. As the country approaches the Eurocup and with its coach Hansi Flick in the spotlight due to poor resultsthe German media analyze all the details, whether they are the subject of debate or not.
The last thing that has attracted attention is not so much the old differences between the protagonists in the past, but the strange interpretation that is made of what appears to be a simple anecdote. Under the heading ‘Provokation gegen Neuer’ (‘Provocation in Neuer’), Bild highlights the fact that Barcelona goalkeeper, Marc André ter Stegen, played in the two recent international matches, against Poland and Colombia, he clearly wears the number 1 on his clothes. Seeing is believing.
Proud to represent Germany. 🇩🇪 Definitely not the results we wanted.
Now it’s time to recharge the batteries for next season. 🔋🦾 pic.twitter.com/zkwZwDk59G—Marc ter Stegen (@mterstegen1) June 23, 2023
“Incredible: Ter Stegen has worn the number 1 on his playing kit in seven points during his appearances: twice on the shirt, gloves and boots and once on the shorts. A challenge for Manuel Neuer after the former ‘Gladbacher’ has recently stressed several times that he wants to snatch his usual place in the DFB goal to the Bayern star,” the aforementioned media outlets explain.
The goalkeeper of the Bavarian team is still in his healing process of the tibia and fibula fracture he suffered in December 2022. An injury that in his time also brought a lot of controversy in Germany, given that it occurred while skiing. Along the same lines, Bild recalled some statements by Ter Stegen to the ‘Süddeutsche Zeitung’, in which the Barça goalkeeper stated that “at the moment I am number one and I intend to continue to be so”.
The German medium also states this Ter Stegen “when he was still using the 22 with the DFB it didn’t show so clearly on his gloves” and that the boxing gloves with the number 1 were made expressly for these last two matches with the national team.
Marc André Ter Stegen’s great moment
Barcelona Ter Stegen, with 31 years, he completed the most remarkable season of his career by winning his first Zamora in La Ligawith the best records in the history of this prestigious award for the best goalkeeper: They conceded just 18 goals in 38 league games and kept 26 clean sheets.
Despite all these results, it seems that You don’t get the same recognition in your country as in Spain. In Germany, Neuer’s shadow, despite being 37 years old and having suffered an injury due to an activity prohibited to a footballer, remains very long.