MUNICH (AP) – Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss the German Cup final with a calf injury, raising questions about Germany’s readiness for the World Cup after his return from retirement.
Bayern announced on Friday that the 40-year-old would be absent from the squad for Saturday’s cup final against defending champions Stuttgart due to a “problem with his left calf muscle”, but the Bayern giants have given no indication as to when Neuer will return.
Neuer, who has been injury-prone this season, suffered his latest setback in Bayern’s final Bundesliga game against Cologne last weekend. “He must rest for the time being,” Bayern said the following day, without giving further details.
After a two-year retirement from the national team, Neuer returned to the German national team for the World Cup and became the biggest topic of discussion. Members announced on Thursday. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said Bayern’s captain will return as No. 1 goalkeeper in this tournament.
The German national team’s first match will be on June 14th in Houston against the new Curaçao national team. Four-time champions Germany will also face Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Group E. Preparations will begin in the Bavarian resort town of Herzogenaurach on May 27th, followed by a preliminary match against Finland in Mainz on May 31st and the United States in Chicago on June 6th.
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