Over the Rhine the hit of this summer 2026 is called Good enoughexpression written in the form highlight in the chorus and what can be translated as “ good enough “in French. Since the beginning of the World Cup, Internet users have used this song to “ console » Denise Undave is still not considered a starter in Julian Nagelsmann’s game plan – and that shouldn’t change this Monday night in the round of 16 against Paraguay.
On the other hand, it was redirected to “ Not good enough “(“ not good enough “) to talk about Manuel Neuer. At 40, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper was taken out of his international career by his coach to make him number one in North America, almost two years after his last appearance for the team. Jersey national, in the quarterfinals (lost to Spain) of the Euro at home. A choice that causes as much confusion as it does irritation.
Failed revival
Reconstruction of the stadium began after the 2024 European Championship. National team went through a commitment to sever ties with several of its managers to better prepare for the future, especially after two consecutive World Cups that ended in trouble. Black pudding. That’s why Ilkay Gundogan, as well as Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer, had the courage to leave. The first three did not reconsider their decision, but the fourth was not slow to put on his gloves again. black-red-gold when Julian Nagelsmann, two years his junior, decided to bench poor Oliver Baumann, even though the Hoffenheim goalkeeper (36) had defended the selection field throughout the qualifying campaign.
Since then, although Nagelsmann seems deaf to the debate surrounding his selection, a certain skepticism surrounds his decision, especially given Manuel Neuer’s season at the club: three injuries kept the goalkeeper out of action. What » 22 Bundesliga matches and missed three Champions League matches, competitions in which he only played. What ” two clean sheets.
Did the coach want to give him one last chance to say goodbye to the team on a good note? It’s possible. Since the start of the tournament, Neuer has become the only German international to play in five World Cups, the oldest German player to compete in the tournament, and the most capped goalkeeper in World Cup history. Great, but other than that, the Gelsenkirchen native conceded four goals in three matches and made only three decisive saves. Moreover, the last time he completed an international game blank slate it was during… the 2014 World Cup final, when he was at the peak of his form.
The corporation comes to the fore
Focusing more on Germany’s defeat in Curacao would be overshadowed by the only goal scored by the Caribbean in the tournament. A goal he could have stopped basicbut in which his advanced age no longer allows him to be so decisive. And if we can criticize his defense in the match with Cote d’Ivoire, it is difficult to find excuses for him in the match with Ecuador, no matter what the person concerned said after the match. Refusing to admit “ goalkeeper error »he calls “ head deviation » about Gonzalo Plata’s goal and talks about “ completely normal situation » in which he had to accept “ solution in milliseconds » and justifies his failed exit by saying that “ Anyone who has ever played as a goalkeeper knows that they must position themselves in the same way in front of the ball. ». No doubt to save face over his much-criticised selection, Julian Nagelsmann confirmed in the post-match conference that he did not consider Ecuador’s winning goal to be his veteran’s mistake.
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He’s not the only one who has lost his temper in the face of criticism. Thus, former national team goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand published a video in which he goes to the goal to protect his colleague, citing primarily mistakes in defense and condemning the ruthlessness towards Neuer. It’s the same story with his former teammate Christoph Kramer, who now works as a consultant for the German civil service: “ I have a feeling we’re waiting for Neuer to make a mistake before we start a heated debate about goalkeepers. (…) Everyone should sweep their own door. I feel like there is some jealousy and it annoys me. »– stormed the former amnesiac.
Is it too late?
No matter how his tournament ends, National team has already achieved more success than the last two editions, (finally) making it past the first round. The fact remains that while Manuel Neuer can be satisfied with breaking a few individual records, which only flatters his ego, then a goalkeeper whose achievements cannot be questioned comes across as, like Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal, the holder of an immunity totem that could turn against him in the long term. That is: creating the feeling that he does not know how to stop in time and serves his own interests to the detriment of the talented team. Moreover, with his last Come back unexpectedly, it’s hard to believe him 100% now when he promises that this tournament will really be his last.
Kai Havertz doesn’t care what people say about his national team
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