„You don’t discuss Neuer“: Maier analyzes Bayern’s strong first half of the season | OneFootball

FC Bayern is heading into the Christmas period with a broad chest. Things are going well in sporting terms, the results are good and the mood at the club is more stable than it has been for a long time. But it is precisely in times of success that it is worth taking a look at those who have experienced the club in all its phases. Sepp Maier is one of them like no other. The record champions‘ goalkeeping legend looks back on the first half of the season – with plenty of praise, but also with clear warnings

For Maier, there is no way around Manuel Neuer. For him, the Bayern captain is not just a goalkeeper, but continues to be the central solution in this position, as he emphasises in his SPORT1 column. Despite a serious injury and despite his age, Neuer has shown why he has been the benchmark for years – both in sporting and human terms. Maier makes it clear that there is no need to discuss Neuer. Anyone who returns at this level, decides games and radiates calm, has more than earned his status

At the same time, Maier draws a clear line under the national team debate. He considers a return to the DFB goal to be out of the question – not for sporting reasons, but because Neuer has made a conscious decision in favour of FC Bayern. This decision is final. Nevertheless, Maier leaves no doubt that experience in goal is not a disadvantage. On the contrary: it is often a decisive factor in this position in particular. For him, Neuer embodies precisely this mixture of experience, quality and leadership

Kompany gives FC Bayern a new face

photo: IMAGO

Maier is at least as positive about the development on the coach’s bench. Vincent Kompany is a real first-class solution for him. A personnel decision that required courage – and which has paid off in full so far. Kompany stands for clarity, modern leadership and an authority that does not need to be explained. For Maier, it is crucial that the Belgian does not work through words, but through content

Max Eberl is also backed in this context. The coaching decision is proof that FC Bayern is once again prepared to take responsibility and break new ground. The days of permanent justifications are over. Instead, there is a clear line again, which is reflected on the pitch. FC Bayern looks confident again – not only in terms of results, but also in its appearance

The danger of the hype surrounding Lennart Karl

Despite all the euphoria, Maier sees a sensitive point: Lennart Karl. The 17-year-old is the high-flyer of the season, his influence on Bayern’s game is unmistakable. However, this is precisely where Maier sees a potential danger. The hype is huge – perhaps more than is good for such a young player

Maier warns against overloading Karl too early. FC Bayern must manage the balancing act of promoting him without burning him out. Karl stands for courage, ambition and joy of playing, but also for respect for the jersey. It is precisely these qualities that must be protected. Maier sees the fact that Julian Nagelsmann has long had his eye on him as an accolade – but also as an additional signal of how quickly things can happen in modern soccer

At the same time, Maier emphasises that FC Bayern needs more players like this again – home-grown players who feel the club and don’t just work for it. In this context, he also puts transfer discussions into perspective. Not every big name is automatically an asset. The decisive factor is whether a player fits the idea. For him, Luis Díaz is a good example of how international transfers can work if they are embedded in a meaningful way.