Bayern Munich club legend Manuel Neuer remains a fixture in goal for Die Roten, even though the club recently invested in another promising young German goalkeeper this winter in former FC Koln man Jonas Urbig.
While Urbig has impressed in limited action for Bayern, he’s only been getting starts because of a recent injury to the Bayern No. 1, as there is no question that Neuer has the job sealed as the club’s captain for as long as he’s there.
Neuer has been out since the beginning of March with a torn muscle fiber, and while there is optimism he should be able to return soon, his status remains up in the air.
According to a report from TZ Muenchen, via iMiaSanMia, the 39-year-old will most likely not be back in time for Bayern Munich against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Bayern Munich aren’t giving an exact timeline for return at this point, as his calf injury is complex and without even precise diagnosis, per the report. There’s even a lack of clarity on if Neuer will be back for the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Inter and Bayern will face each other in the first leg on Apr. 8 and the second on Apr. 16. It may be better to play it safe with Neuer at his age, so Urbig will have his time to shine against the reigning Serie A champions.
Joe Soriano covers West Ham for Green Street Hammers and writes about Real Madrid for The Real Champs. He has extensive experience covering world football since 2014. Joe is an editor for The Trivela Effect, where he covers the biggest clubs in European football. He has watched professional sports regularly since 2002 and can be found playing the same sports he covers with his friends.