Hamann is blunt: „The special treatment for Neuer has to end now!“ | OneFootball

The DFB’s World Cup opener isn’t just about the first opponent. Dietmar Hamann sees the goalkeeper position, in particular, as a key factor that directly affects Manuel Neuer.

Ahead of the opener against Curacao, Hamann describes the German team as the clear favorite but warns against overly high expectations regarding the margin of victory. In his column for the Münchner Abendzeitung, he references the 2002 World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, which ended 8-0 at the time, and emphasizes unity and stability above all as the benchmark for the tournament’s start.

The sharpest part of his assessment concerns the FC Bayern goalkeeper. Hamann writes: “What is clear to me: The special treatment of Manuel Neuer must end now!” Should Neuer also miss the first group stage match and Oliver Baumann remain error-free, Hamann draws a clear conclusion: „If Neuer is also rested against Curacao and Oliver Baumann doesn’t make any mistakes, Baumann belongs in goal as the number one.“

Hamann sees a lack of match practice in Neuer

Hamann cites Neuer’s lack of playing time as the reason. The Bayern keeper did not play in the two preseason matches against Finland and the U.S., and prior to that, he also missed the Cup final with FC Bayern. Although Neuer returned to team training this week, Hamann still demands immediate performance: „Neuer has to play now—and deliver right away.“ He also points to the coordination with Nathaniel Brown, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Felix Nmecha, with whom Neuer has played together rarely or not at all.

Photo: IMAGO

In addition to the goalkeeper question, Hamann also assesses the offense. Following Lennart Karl’s injury-related absence, he sees Leroy Sané as the first choice on the right wing, though primarily due to a lack of alternatives. Sané brings speed to the game, but Hamann remains cautious: „The question with Sané is always whether he can deliver consistently.“ He points to Sané’s recent months at Galatasaray and names Said El Mala, Kevin Schade, and Chris Führich as players he would have selected instead.