There will be no comeback with the German national team. According to national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s plan, Oliver Baumann will play the World Cup this summer as the number one goalkeeper. Will he seek a tip or two from Neuer? One thing is clear: Baumann has learned a lot from him throughout his career. Even more than that: as a young goalkeeper, he idolized Neuer. “But I realized it wasn’t possible,” Baumann told the “SZ”.
“I simply don’t have the skills he has,” admitted the 35-year-old, who plays for TSG Hoffenheim. “This combination of size, speed, and agility is certainly unique.” Neuer also has “a very distinctive style of positioning and anticipation.” Baumann can’t copy that.
Describing himself as the “best Oli Baumann there has ever been,” he feels his performances during the World Cup qualifying campaign have helped him earn that recognition.
“I believe I’ve already earned some respect during the World Cup qualifiers. By the time other teams do their opponent analysis at the World Cup, they’ll see that this Baumann isn’t too bad at all,” he said, noting that his experience is a major advantage.
“Basically, it’s about making as few mistakes as possible over a career, and when you do make them, learning from them. I’ve experienced nearly every situation and made almost every mistake by now.”