European Championship national team
Only number 2 – Ter Stegen shows incomprehension
Status: 06.06.2024 | Reading time: 4 minutes
Ter Stegen (right) has played 40 international matches for Germany so far, none of them at a major tournament. Manuel Neuer always played there
Quelle: picture alliance/firo Sportphoto/Ralf Ibing
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National coach Julian Nagelsmann has made it clear to every player what role they will play at the European Championships. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen had to line up as number two behind Manuel Neuer. The 32-year-old accepts this, but has little understanding.
According to Kai Havertz, the carelessness of national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer shortly before the end of the European Championship test match against Ukraine has no effect on the team’s trust in the former captain. “At least not on me and I don’t think on anyone else either,” Havertz told “Kicker”.
In Monday’s 0-0 draw against Ukraine, the 38-year-old FC Bayern goalkeeper was world class for long stretches. Shortly before the end of the game, however, he came out of his goal in his usual manner to prevent an attack by the visitors. His casual pass, however, landed with the opponent, and Artem Dovbyk stormed towards the empty German goal all alone, but luckily for the German team, he was stopped by the offside whistle.
“Out of 500 actions, something like that happens once, but in the other 499 actions he saves us, helps us win games,” said Havertz. The Arsenal striker praised Neuer as “the best goalkeeper who has ever played. When you know he’s in goal, it gives you a different feeling.”
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However, the Munich goalkeeper had already revealed unusual weaknesses in the previous weeks during the defeat in Hoffenheim (2:4). In the semi-final against Real Madrid, Neuer initially made brilliant saves, but made a mistake that led to the 1:2 defeat.
Nagelsmann’s measure for harmony and pecking order
For Neuer, the warm-up match against Ukraine in Nuremberg was his first game in the DFB jersey since the World Cup exit in Qatar. For the European Championship, national coach Julian Nagelsmann chose him as the clear number one – which is why Marc-André ter Stegen was demoted to number two again. The FC Barcelona backers had imagined things differently, and they make no secret of that.
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Looking back. A crucial measure for the harmony and pecking order in the team were the role discussions that Julian Nagelsmann held with each individual star beforehand. In March, each player sat with the national coach for around 20 minutes, Nagelsmann said. He outlined to the player the role he was supposed to play at the European Championships and in the team. This creates “commitment, reliability,” Nagelsmann said. The players had to assure him that they would accept this role. But there is one position in particular that is particularly explosive: in goal.
For a long time, ter Stegen seemed set
One thing is clear: Neuer is number one at the European Championships, while the 32-year-old ter Stegen is only number two, despite years of outstanding performances at FC Barcelona. His reaction to this division of roles: acceptance yes, understanding no.
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In an interview with “Bild” he said: “It is not easy to get into a situation that you had hoped would be different. The coach’s decision must be accepted and respected, even if I do not agree with him. I try to be at the best level in order to show my performance.”
Ter Stegen was set to be the DFB goalie during Neuer’s long injury period – and for a long time he also seemed to be the number one at the European Championships. In 2023, Neuer was out for almost a year due to a broken lower leg that he sustained in a skiing accident. Shortly after ter Stegen had to cancel the international matches in November against Turkey (2:3) and Austria (0:2) due to a back injury, Nagelsmann heralded the turnaround in goal. Then in March, the clearly defined hierarchy in the individual discussions.
“Football, Peter Schilling, Major Tom – it all fits together”
The popular 80s party hit “Major Tom” will in future be the official anthem that will echo through the stadium when the German national team scores goals. Singer Peter Schilling, a huge football fan, is delighted about this: “This is a unity that works.”
The toughest decision of ter Stegen’s career? “Certainly,” he says bluntly: “It’s an important event. I would have liked to play, I make no secret of that. I think I had a lot of arguments in my favor. That’s why it wasn’t an easy decision for the coach. But I have to accept it.”
Ter Stegen has played 40 international matches for Germany so far, none of them at a major tournament. After the European Championship, the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico could now be his focus. The goalkeeper: “That’s still a bit far away. You don’t know what’s coming in football. I want to give my best performance in all situations over the next two years. I will leave no doubt that I’m in top form.”
