National football teamNagelsmann on goalkeeper question: “None of them are clairvoyant”
Oliver Baumann played zero.
Christian Charisius/dpa
Baumann, ter Stegen, the new one? The goalkeeper question for DFB teams is confusing. National coach Nagelsmann made clear demands for the number one player to actually be selected.
After qualifying for the World Cup, national football coach Julian Nagelsmann avoided making a decision regarding the goalkeeping question. When the head coach at ZDF was asked about Oliver Baumann’s strong performance after the 6-0 win against Slovakia and whether this meant anything for the World Cup, Nagelsmann said: “No, we have commented on the goalkeeper issue quite often.”
FC Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen is actually considered the number one player planned for next summer’s World Cup (June 11 to July 19). However, the 33-year-old has been out of action for months due to a back injury. “Marc must assert himself at Barcelona or find a club where he can play,” explained Nagelsmann. The possibility of Manuel Neuer’s return has been repeatedly debated, at least in the media.
National coach Baumann: “He did well”
Hoffenheim goalkeeper Baumann recently played zero in four World Cup qualifying matches. “Oli is a great guy who is very humble. We are very happy with him at the moment, he is fine. We’ll see what happens next year,” said Nagelsmann.
Looking at Baumann (35) and ter Stegen, the national coach said: “Neither of us is a fortune teller. Neither one nor the other.” Baumann will play his 500th Bundesliga match at FSV Mainz 05 on Friday.
