Just a backup at FC Bayern? Urbig responds to ongoing criticism | OneFootball

Jonas Urbig is part of Jürgen Klopp’s second squad at the DFB and wants to prove himself with the German national team. He’ll take the field for the first time with the eagle on his chest against Serbia on Thursday—despite some skepticism from many experts in recent weeks. 

However, this skepticism had nothing to do with Urbig’s performance. Rather, it stemmed from the fact that he is not the undisputed number one at FC Bayern.

Manuel Neuer remains the starting goalkeeper for the record-holding champions. Urbig is being groomed as Neuer’s successor and is set to take over as the starting goalkeeper from the summer of 2027.

Urbig: “I’m already in the rhythm of the game”

Urbig has developed very well at Bayern so far; his nomination for the national team is the logical next step, even if goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier isn’t too impressed by the fact that the hype is already so intense. 

Some experts have also recently weighed in, noting that his role as backup at Bayern Munich should actually prevent him from being the top candidate for the starting goalkeeper spot on the German national team at the moment. Urbig himself addressed this at the German national team’s press conference ahead of Thursday’s match against Serbia.

Photo: IMAGO

“This whole ‘number one’ thing isn’t something I worry about. My focus is on reaching my limits every day and pushing past them. Everything else will fall into place on its own in time. I’ve been given a lot of trust at FC Bayern. Here, I’ve been given the confidence to make my debut tomorrow. Everything else is for the future. I live in the here and now,” said Urbig.

Urbig also believes that he’s not actually playing that little: “I feel like I’m still in the rhythm of the game. That’s always a bit of a topic of discussion. I’ve already played a few games for Bayern. I’m happy to be part of this squad and simply do my part to help us be successful.”