Comment on the cup final: Neuer’s handling of his fatal mistake is Bayern’s real problem
Thursday, december 5, 2024, 7:02 p.m
Manuel Neuer is sent off, FC Bayern is out of the cup.The first title is gone for Munich. The goalkeeper apologizes for his game-winning mistake,but shows no self-reflection. His handling of increasing mistakes is fatal for FC Bayern.
His look betrayed him. Promptly after the collision with Jeremie Frimpong, Manuel Neuer looked wide-eyed at the referee Harm Osmers. An innocent face that expected mercy from the referee.
His infamous complaint hand stayed down, another sign that Neuer knew that any protest was futile. The red card was inevitable.
Neuer flies, Bayern loses
The keeper’s
Neuer apologized to his teammates, especially Leroy Sané, who replaced him after the scene, on the pitch “with one or the other,” as he later revealed on ARD.”That is of course crucial for the game,” Neuer said adn repeated: “That hurts us, and of course I’m sorry.”
Neuer lacks self-reflection
He apologizes to him.Though, his clarification of the scene and the mistake he made reveals a much bigger problem. Neuer lacks self-reflection – and that can be disastrous at this stage in his career.
“I think in the end I’m missing the right touch on the ball. Frimpong had no real contact with the ball. I was standing there and than the whistle came and I got the red card,” Neuer tried to explain.
A closer look at the scene shows: Frimpong is about to take the ball with his chest and at that moment Neuer is ruthlessly running over. The Leverkusen player is still being pursued by Konrad Laimer, who could have a decisive impact after Frimpong took the ball. Neuer’s trip is therefore completely unnecessary.
A new one, the libero
But these trips are Neuer’s interpretation of the goalkeeper’s game. With this style he was the best goalkeeper of his generation, and for many even the best of all time. How many times has he saved FC Bayern or the German national team this way?
The 2014 World cup game against Argentina is still on our minds. A new one, the libero.Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain probably still has marks on his shoulder from the impact of the last game. Today, ten years later, he woudl have been kicked off the field after tampering with the video evidence.
But that’s not about Bayern’s problem today.What is more relevant is that Neuer is no longer the same as Neuer from ten years ago. A few percentage points of vitality, a few percentage points of timing, a few percentage points of determination are missing.
Neuer stands tall. “I always stand tall, I stand tall all the time,” he said, almost defensively.
After mistakes, Neuer shifts the blame
After the defeat against Aston Villa in the Champions League, he explained his game-winning mistake. He told Dazn at the time: “I think anyone who has seen all our games so far knows that I played like that in every game. That’s why it’s a bit like our game and it’s valuable especially when the ball is in possession and also against the ball I think he hit it very well. Maybe I could stand two meters further back, but it would still be uncertain if I would get it.”
Message: It’s not the problem, it’s the system. It is indeed not the person who must adapt, but the system. This makes things all too easy for the long-time number one in Germany’s goal.
Neuer apologizes, but shows no insight into individual mistakes.After last season’s dramatic champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, when Neuer missed a harmless shot shortly before the end, he blamed it on a mole in the stadium (yes, no joke!).
“Institution under scrutiny”
The “touchable” was already part of the national public debate during the summer. National coach Julian Nagelsmann prioritized him in the DFB-back over Marc-André ter Stegen for the home European Championships. Then he wobbled in the friendly matches against Ukraine and Greece.”Institution under scrutiny,” was the headline on ZDF.
He then proved to all his critics during the tournament that Neuer is still capable of outstanding and supernatural
He has also frequently enough produced strong performances this season,keeping seven consecutive clean sheets until the 1-1 draw against borussia Dortmund – for the first time as 2012.
“He makes the right decisions 99.9 percent of the time,” said Joshua Kimmich on ARD after the cup match and made “no accusations” against his captain But the 0.1 percent happens more often, especially in the decisive ones Play when there is a lack of self-reflection.
What are the consequences of a player’s inability to take accountability in a football team like Bayern Munich?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Welcome, everyone, to Time.news. Today we have with us renowned football analyst, Dr. Karl Roth, to discuss the ramifications of Manuel neuer’s recent send-off during the cup final and how it reflects deeper issues within FC Bayern Munich. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Roth.
Dr. Roth: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an intriguing and critical moment in football.
Editor: The spotlight is firmly on Neuer after his expulsion from the match against FC Bayern. Many fans, and even Neuer himself, have expressed their apologies for the incident. But what struck me was the observation that he lacks true self-reflection regarding his mistakes.How meaningful is it for a player in his position to have this quality?
dr. Roth: Self-reflection is crucial for any athlete, particularly for a goalkeeper like Neuer, who acts as the last line of defense. A lack of self-reflection can lead to repeated mistakes. in Neuer’s case, his failure to acknowledge the gravity of his misjudgment during the incident with Jeremie Frimpong raises questions about his mental state. It suggests he might not be fully learning from his experiences, which is vital for both individual and team success.
Editor: What does this inability to reflect on his mistakes say about Bayern as a team? Is it symptomatic of a larger issue within the club?
Dr.Roth: Absolutely. Neuer’s actions can be seen as indicative of a broader issue within Bayern Munich. The club is at a critical juncture—there’s pressure to perform,and individuals may start prioritizing their roles over team cohesion. Neuer is a venerable figure at the club,but if he can’t demonstrate accountability,it may inadvertently foster a culture where mistakes are overlooked,rather than adequately addressed.
Editor: It’s captivating that you mention accountability.Bayern Munich has a reputation for a winning mentality. How does Neuer’s behavior potentially impact the morale and performance of the team moving forward?
Dr. Roth: Performance and morale are intertwined in football. When a leader erodes trust by not owning up to mistakes, it can affect team cohesion.Players like leroy Sané,who stepped in for Neuer,may feel uneasy or even demotivated. They might wonder, “If our leader isn’t taking accountability, should I?” This could ripple through trainings and matches, leading to a toxic atmosphere that can stifle creativity and confidence.
Editor: Reflecting on past instances of pivotal players not recognizing their faults—are there parallels we can draw from Neuer’s scenario to other famous cases?
Dr. Roth: Definitely.We’ve seen similar situations with players like Iker Casillas or Gianluigi Buffon. Both had their share of critical mistakes but were excellent at acknowledging their faults, which ultimately allowed for both personal growth and the betterment of their respective teams. Being proactive in addressing mistakes can lead to enhanced performance and a more resilient squad. By contrast, failing to learn can stall development.
Editor: So, how can Bayern move forward from this predicament? Is it solely up to Neuer, or does the entire squad need to shift its approach?
Dr. Roth: Its a collective effort. While Neuer needs to embrace accountability, the coaching staff must foster an habitat that promotes open dialog. this includes constructive feedback, where players can discuss mistakes without fear of judgment. It’s vital for building a sustainable winning culture—not just reacting to failures but learning from them. The team needs to rally together rather than allow one incident to fester as a scar on their morale.
Editor: Wise words indeed, Dr. Roth. As Bayern looks ahead in their quest for titles, I hope Neuer reflects and grows. Thank you for your insights today!
dr. Roth: Thank you for having me. it’s always enjoyable to discuss the nuances of football, especially about a club as storied as Bayern Munich.
Editor: And to our readers, stay tuned for more analyses and discussions on the beautiful game. Until next time!