Bayern Veteran Manuel Neuer Ready For Final Clash With Real Madrid in UEFA Quarterfinal

Bayern Munich veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is gearing up to take on Read Madrid for one last time in the upcoming UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal. This is expected to be his final season with Bayern, as the superstar German goalkeeper is looking to bid farewell to football after that.

Manuel Neuer is currently under contract with Bayern Munich until the end of this season. The club is open to giving their long-serving goalkeeper and captain a one-year extension, but Neuer has said several times that he is still thinking about his future.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner has had muscle injury issues over the last two seasons. Usually one of the first names in the lineup, he has missed 11 matches this season due to ongoing calf problems. These are the issues that have forced Manuel to think about retirement, although nothing is confirmed yet.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany praised the leadership skills of Manuel Neuer, saying he is one of those players who brings ‘order to the team’.

“Manu only has to say one sentence, and he brings order to the team. That’s why his role to me as a leader is just as important as what he does on the pitch,” said Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany.

With Wednesday’s second leg coming up, Manuel Neuer is the only current Bayern player who has ever beaten Real Madrid over two legs. After their 2012 semi-final win, Bayern failed to win even a single match against Los Blancos in the next eight meetings, until last week.

The Gelsenkirchen-born goalkeeper will have extra motivation this time against Real. Two years ago, Bayern were leading late in the second leg of their semi-final, but Neuer failed to hold onto a Vinicius shot, and Joselu scored the rebound to make it level. Just minutes later, Joselu found the net again, knocking Bayern out, while Real went on to win the title at Wembley.

Speaking about the upcoming Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid clash, Joshua Kimmich said that his team is not underestimating Los Blancos, as they know their potential to upset anyone.

“It doesn’t matter at all what form Kylian Mbappe and his teammates are in. When it’s the Champions League, they perform,” said Joshua Kimmich.

“We know exactly who we are playing against. It’s a brutally difficult task. We know how quickly they can create scoring opportunities. We know what to expect.” added Joshua Kimmich.