“I’ve been working toward this my whole life”: Urbig is eager for his DFB debut | OneFootball

Jonas Urbig is about to experience a very special moment in his still-young career. The FC Bayern goalkeeper will take his place between the posts for the German national team for the first time in the Nations League match against Serbia.

For the 23-year-old, the call-up is further confirmation of his strong development. At FC Bayern, Urbig is currently being groomed as the backup to Manuel Neuer and is expected to eventually succeed him as the number one goalkeeper. He was already allowed to travel to the World Cup this past summer as a training goalkeeper.

Now comes the next step. National team coach Jürgen Klopp confirmed ahead of the match against Serbia that Urbig will start. At the pre-match press conference, the Bayern pro spoke about what his first international match means to him.

“This is very special.”

Urbig’s anticipation for his DFB debut is clearly evident. At the same time, the goalkeeper has set himself a specific goal for his first appearance wearing the eagle on his chest.

“This is very special. It’s a moment you’ve worked toward your whole life. I’m excited to have the opportunity to take the field here tomorrow. I want to do my part to secure our first win under Jürgen Klopp,” Urbig explained.

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper is now the third goalkeeper Klopp has started in his third game as national team coach. Marc-André ter Stegen was in goal for the opener against the Netherlands. Alexander Nübel got his chance in the subsequent 0-1 loss to Greece.

Now it’s Urbig’s turn to prove himself. The competition for the future starting spot remains wide open.

Urbig Welcomes Competition for the DFB Goalkeeping Spot

Photo: IMAGO

However, Urbig doesn’t see the fierce competition as a problem. Rather, the 23-year-old believes that the goalkeepers can push each other to perform better in training.

“I know this from my time at Bayern: The more energy there is in a group of goalkeepers, the better. That way, we can also contribute a lot to the team,” emphasized the Munich-based goalkeeper.

The level of play within the DFB goalkeeping group is correspondingly high. For Urbig, however, the immediate priority isn’t to establish himself as the permanent number one. His focus is on his first appearance and the chance to prove himself on the international stage for the first time.

Against Serbia, he can now show why Klopp has placed his trust in him. At the same time, Urbig could achieve something that Germany has not yet managed under its new national team coach: securing the first victory of the Klopp era.