One of the biggest collapses in UEFA Champions League history has occurred. A costly mistake by Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer late in the match has cost Bayern the chance to play for a title next month in London. Real Madrid won the match 2-1 and the series 4-3, to advance to the Final against Borussia Dortmund.
It was an even match with both teams having great moments in the match. Manuel Neuer has nothing to prove as a player. Neuer has won everything in his career, the World Cup with Germany and many titles, and cups with Bayern Munich.
Manuel Neuer is one of the best players of his generation. This is possibly the lowest moment of his career. Is he done?
Manuel Neuer: The Goalkeeper That Never Made Mistakes
Manuel Neuer is a player who is characterized as a goalkeeper who always stepped up in the biggest moments. So many times that Bayern Munich was not playing their best and Neuer was there to pick the team up. It was happening in this match, Bayern had some tough moments but Neuer stood tall making big stops.
A team needs a great goalkeeper to win titles. Manuel Neuer has been more than great, maybe the best German goalkeeper ever, in a country that historically struggled to produce players at that position. In the 2014 World Cup Final Germany won 1-0 in extra time, Manuel Neuer had the best match of his life.
Germany was playing the best player of this generation Lionel Messi and they held the team scoreless. Manuel Neuer was the reason for that making big stops. No big mistakes either. Against Real Madrid, one mistake cost the team the series.
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Manuel Neuer: Coughs up Ball, Leads to Goal
In the 88th minute with Bayern leading 1-0 in the match and 3-2 in the series a shot from Vinicius Jr. from outside the box changed everything. A strange bounce on the grass right before it reached Manuel Neuer led to a big rebound where Joselu was standing and he kicked the ball in to tie the match.
Bayern Munich was just minutes away from reaching the Final against their biggest German rival, Borussia Dortmund. It would have been a repeat of the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final, which Bayern won 2-1 with Manuel Neuer in net.
Sure, Real Madrid scored minutes later again to give them the series win and Neuer can’t be blamed on that goal. But the tying goal Manuel Neuer gets all the blame. There is no excuse for giving up a rebound in that moment, strange bounce or not. It’s a huge mistake for the 38-year-old Neuer, does he bounce back from this or is this the end?
About the Author
Mike Nelson lives and breathes sports. Ever since he was very young he has also dreamed of covering sports. Mike graduated from CSULA in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. He has been very lucky to cover sports and be on the radio for the last few years with different organizations including a stint with the LA Galaxy where he was one of the announcers for the LA Galaxy 2 team for two seasons.
Mike loves music, he hosts his radio show/podcast “The Mike Nelson Show” where he has gotten to interview the biggest names in rock and metal including Les Claypool, David Ellefson, and others.
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