Bayern Munich sound tentative ‘all clear’ on Manuel Neuer after half-time subbing off | OneFootball

Bayern Munich’s Saturday Bundesliga victory over Werder Bremen featured a strange twist. Keeper Manuel Neuer did not come out to contest the second half. Jonas Urbig played the second 45. Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany and club sporting director Christoph Freund have explained the decision.

Both FCB professionals, the minor calf injury that sidelined the former German national team keeper won’t keep Neuer out long. Bayern – courtesy of their near-perfect 2025/26 Champions League group phase – do not have a midweek match to contest.

Bayern sound tentative ‘all clear’ on Manuel Neuer

“There was a slight tightening [of the calf],” Freund told Sky Germany afterward. “[His subbing off] was a mere precautionary measure. We didn’t want to take any risks, but it shouldn’t be anything serious.“

“Manu was pretty relaxed after the game,” Kompany added at the post-match press conference. “If it had been serious, he wouldn’t have rejoined his teammates on the bench during the second half. We just didn’t want to take any risks.“

GGFN | Peter Weis