In Germany’s European Championship group game against Hungary, Neuer proved that he is still a world-class goalkeeper, making the debate about Germany’s number one position seem unnecessary. After the game, Neuer spoke to the press about his performance and the importance of keeping a clean sheet for the team.
In the mixed zone, Neuer was amused when asked about his save from Szoboszlai’s free-kick. “The ball was fast, nobody should think that this was a simple save,” Neuer said. “The free-kick wasn’t easy to save.”
Neuer seemed relieved after the game, as he had entered the European Championship with well-documented doubts. The opening match against Scotland should have been an easy win, but a Rudiger own goal had marred what should have been a convincing victory. Against Hungary, Neuer was tested several times. “I faced very dangerous situations right from the beginning of the game,” he said. He was referring to the first minute of the game when he saved a shot from Lorant Sallai with his foot to prevent a goal.
After Neuer’s double save from Szoboszlai’s free-kick, Kimmich and Goretzka enthusiastically cheered for their goalkeeper, as if he had just scored a century-defining goal. Only Neuer knew that this was his first clean sheet in a major national team tournament since the 2016 European Championship Round of 16. “Keeping a clean sheet is important, we should have done it in the game against Scotland,” Neuer said. “I was back in form in that game, although there wasn’t much to do [but we conceded]. Today, our hard work was rewarded.”
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