Germany goalie Neuer set to return against Austria
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Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will make his comeback from a nine-month injury break in Saturday’s international against Austria as he races to be fit for next month’s World Cup, goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke said yesterday.
World Cup winner Neuer, who has been the Germany No. 1 for more than eight years, has not played a single official game since breaking a bone in his foot back in September but Koepke said he was fully on track for the tournament in Russia. “That’s the plan,” Koepke told reporters at their training camp in Eppan, northern Italy.
“As things stand now he will play on Saturday. There is nothing in the way and those are the matches he needs. An international against Austria where he will have more to do.” The 32-year-old Germany captain played 30 minutes in its training match against the German Under-20 team on Monday and will again play another 30 minutes when the two sides meet today.
The world champion will stay in Italy until June 5, a day after the deadline for the final 23-man squad announcement. Coach Joachim Loew has taken 27 players to the training camp with four facing the cut, including one of four keepers.
Koepke has hinted that a fit Neuer would be Germany’s first choice for the tournament ahead of the other three keepers — Kevin Trapp, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Bernd Leno — Loew has called up in his preliminary squad.
The Germans, who also face Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on June 8 in their final warm-up match, are in World Cup Group F with Sweden, South Korea and Mexico. The tournament starts on June 14.
Meanwhile, defense is a big question mark for France as it starts its final preparations for the World Cup, but Monday’s 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland showed that the fullbacks were in excellent shape, giving confidence to the whole squad.
Benjamin Mendy and Djibril Sidibe, who both suffered serious injuries this season, looked in top form at the Stade de France, showing great offensive intentions although they were not tested on their defensive skills.
Mendy only returned to action for Manchester City in mid-April after a seven-month knee injury layoff, while Monaco’s Sidibe came back to training earlier this month after injuring his meniscus also in mid-April.
Taking them both to Russia was a gamble for France coach Didier Deschamps but their displays against Ireland showed the risk was worth taking.
“I am really surprised not because of what they showed, but let’s remember that Benjamin is just back from a serious injury,” said midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who was named captain as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was rested for the night.
“Seeing him play without any apprehension, chapeau Benjamin! It’s never easy to come back from a serious injury. He showed that we could rely on him.”
France takes on Italy on Friday in Nice before hosting the US in Lyon on June 9.
In Russia, it will face Australia, Denmark and Peru in Group C.
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