Bayern Munich’s Champions League preparations have been reshaped by Manuel Neuer’s foot injury, with Jonas Urbig set to take over against Viking after a damaging Bundesliga afternoon against Augsburg. For Neuer, 40, the European tie arrives amid renewed scrutiny of a goalkeeper whose standing among the game’s greats is secure, but whose recent performances have invited harder questions.
From Augsburg error to a European change
- Against Augsburg last weekend, Bayern conceded the quickest goal in Bundesliga history, only six seconds after kick-off. Luis Díaz played the ball back towards Neuer, but Fellhauer pressed him, won possession and scored.
- Fellhauer said the moment was difficult to put into words because of its significance. He felt he could have shot sooner, but chose a safer finish rather than risk putting the effort wide.
- The Augsburg scorer also revealed that the pressing move had been prepared. His job, he explained, was to keep running rather than allow Alphonso Davies to block him, making it harder for Neuer to play out comfortably.
- Neuer accepted full responsibility, calling it a foolish error. With two opponents closing from his right, he believed he should have passed towards his left instead and made the wrong choice.
- After Saibari had made it 1-1, Neuer was again involved when he could not hold Brackelmann’s shot cleanly, leaving Rodrigo Ribeiro to convert the loose ball. Neuer said there had been nothing he could do in that second incident.
- Despite saying after the Augsburg draw that he had a feeling he could respond against Viking, Neuer suffered a foot problem. Vincent Kompany made clear that the selection issue had effectively been settled, opening the door for Urbig.
Neuer remains Bayern’s number one
The Augsburg mistakes follow an unconvincing World Cup with Germany and have intensified debate over whether Bayern should begin accelerating Urbig’s succession. Neuer’s future beyond this season remains unconfirmed, although the expectation is that the campaign could be his last as a professional.
There remains considerable respect for the veteran inside the club. Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, said one mistake was no reason to question Neuer, while stressing that Urbig’s development had been exceptional and that Neuer had played an important part in it.
Eberl maintained that Neuer remains Bayern’s first-choice goalkeeper and said the club have had a clear succession plan in place for nearly two years. Neuer has still produced a 75% save rate this Bundesliga season, the fifth-best figure among the division’s goalkeepers.
Urbig’s European opportunity
For all of Bayern’s long-term planning, the immediate issue is a Champions League night rather than a ceremonial handover. Neuer’s injury means Urbig must step in against Viking, with Bayern needing their younger goalkeeper to bring calm after a domestic match in which the usual certainty around their captain disappeared in seconds.
