In December, Manuel Neuer joined The Best FIFA Football Awards named world goalkeeper of the year. Today the FC Bayern captain is celebrating his 35th birthday. Anyone who thinks that the keeper could lose quality as they get older is completely wrong. Week after week, Neuer proves his class in the Munich goal and brings the opposing attackers to despair. fcbayern.com looks back on extraordinary parades.
1. The wall of Lisbon
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In the 2020 Champions League final, Neuer faced two of the best attackers in Europe with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, but both of them failed to defeat the Bayern captain. The 18th minute was particularly memorable in numerous world-class parades. First, Neuer fended off against Neymar, who got a free shot and then even blocked the Brazilian’s second attempt with an incredible flight insert (see picture). Paris coach Tuchel spoke to this keeper afterwards with a smile of “distortion of competition”, after all, the PSG offensive was last without a hit in 2016. The handle pot clearly bore the name Neuer. In this year’s quarter-finals there will be a new edition of the game and Neuer is certainly looking forward to another duel with Neymar & Co.
2. Neuer secures the 8th championship
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In the match point for the championship on June 16, 2020 in Bremen, Robert Lewandowski put Bayern in the lead and on course for the title, but the decision was almost postponed. It is only thanks to Neuer’s insane reflex in stoppage time that Bayern secured the championship early. Yuya Osako’s header flew dangerously towards the lower corner, but the GOATkeeper dived and defused the situation. So the FCB was able to celebrate the 8th championship in a row.
3. The Arm Manus
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In the DFL Supercup 2020 Bayern had to give up a two-goal lead and almost fell behind. Shortly after the 2-2 equalization, Erling Haaland ran alone towards Manuel Neuer and aimed at the left corner from around 16 meters. But the two-time triple winner remained standing for a long time, made himself big and quickly extended his arm. The ball ricocheted off and the FCB could later celebrate the title.
4. New keeps Bayern in the game against Sevilla
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It was a real thriller that went on into overtime. The Champions League winner also had Manuel Neuer to thank for the fact that the 2020 UEFA Super Cup got that far. The four-time world goalkeeper parried strongly again and again. In the 46th minute he prevented Luuk de Jong from celebrating the goal when he held onto it from close range, but Neuer locked the corner. In the 87th and 91st minute, the Bayern goalkeeper parried twice against Youssef En-Nesyri, who was clearly in the lead. This was the only way Javi Martínez could behead Bayern to victory.
5. Salzburg desperate for new ones
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The desperation was written on Salzburg’s Enock Mwepu in December 2020. “How did he get it out?” Could be read clearly in his eyes. After Neuer blocked Mërgim Berisha’s shot, the ball landed at Mwepu’s feet. The Zambian stopped immediately, but Neuer straightened up in a flash and steered the ball over the crossbar with his shoulder – simply unbelievable!
6. Lightning-fast foot defense
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When a striker runs one-on-one towards the goalkeeper, the fans often have a cheer on their lips – unless the goalkeeper is called Manuel Neuer. The man from Munich is difficult to overcome in these situations and regularly parries with lightning-fast reactions. This was also the case in the home game against Hoffenheim at the end of January. Ihlas Bebou suddenly appeared in front of Neuer, but the world goalkeeper was just able to stretch his foot and block Hoffenheim’s attempt.
In an interview, Neuer explains his goalkeeping game:
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