Manuel Neuer will be out. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

A very bitter diagnosis for Manuel Neuer

FC Bayern Munich’s Champions League gala was overshadowed by Manuel Neuer’s injury on Wednesday.

March 06, 2025

From: dpa/det

It was a strange situation for Manuel Neuer. And one with consequences. Germany's record goalkeeper injured himself during FC Bayern Munich's 3-0 win in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen, according to BILD-Zeitung suffered the muscle fiber tear in his calf that had been feared immediately after the first leg of the round of 16 on Wednesday evening. He is therefore out of action for the time being.

Shortly after Jamal Musiala made it 2-0 (54th minute), the 38-year-old was injured. Only moments after the preliminary decision, Neuer indicated that he would no longer be able to continue in his 150th Champions League game.

When celebrating,

It looked like it happened while celebrating, said coach Vincent Kompany, describing the scene. Sports director Max Eberl said it happened while sprinting. Neuer grabbed his calf and had to be replaced by U1 national goalkeeper Jonas Urbig (21), who was signed from 21. FC Cologne in the winter.

Manuel Neuer had to be treated. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

"It's something muscular," said Max Eberl in the stadium about Neuer, referring to the ongoing examinations. At that point, he did not want to speculate about a torn muscle, strain or hardening of the calf.

Urbig's debut in the Bayern goal

It was a memorable evening for Urbig: He made his debut in the FC Bayern jersey. "There are easier games for a debut," said Kompany. He saw the youngster, who was only signed from 1. FC Köln in January, as he had in the few months before. "Very calm, very confident," said the Munich coach, who, however, wanted to put "zero pressure" on Urbig's shoulders.

Jonas Urbig came in for Neuer in goal. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Eberl described Urbig's performance after several months without playing as "very stable", even though he did not have to save a heavy ball. The 21-year-old could now also be in goal on Saturday in the Bundesliga against VfL Bochum and in the return match three days later in Leverkusen. Alternatives to Urbig are veteran Sven Ulreich or the Israeli Daniel Peretz, who is now training with the team again after a bruised kidney.