Manuel Neuer is out until the end of the season because of his broken leg – and Bayern Munich has a goalkeeper problem. Does the German record champion trust in the “eternal” number 2 Sven Ulreich? What options do Munich have behind it? And who would be available as a last resort in the winter transfer window? An overview.
SVEN ULREICH
The simplest and most obvious solution. The 34-year-old has represented Neuer well in eight games this season (conceding six goals), keeping clean sheets at Barcelona and against Inter Milan. Is it enough in the difficult Champions League round of 16 against Paris? In 2018, Ulreich failed in the semifinals at Real Madrid. Advantage: Ulreich, who has just extended his contract until 2024, would sit back on the bench without complaint when Neuer returned in 2023.
JOHN SCHENK
The 19-year-old is a “great talent from whom we have high hopes for the future,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic in the summer: “Johannes has great reflexes and a long reach – he brings everything with him.” Played ten regional league games this season, regular U23 goalkeeper Lukas Schneller (21) has just had an operation on his thigh, Manuel Kainz (20) has injured his elbow again. The risk of having to put a teenager in goal is too great for Bayern – an alternative is being sought.
ALEXANDER NUEBEL
Lured to Munich two and a half years ago with the prospect of the new inheritance from Schalke, loaned to AS Monaco since summer 2021. There this season 33 goals against in 23 competitive games. The 26-year-old is open to an immediate return, but Bayern would have to agree financially with Monaco. However, it is unlikely that he will join Neuer again from the summer.
DOMINIK LIVAKOVIC
Bayern boss Oliver Kahn was in the stands at the Croatian World Cup coup for the penalty-killer Dinamo Zagreb against Brazil, but so far no serious interest in the 27-year-old has been reported. Livakovic has international experience, including in the Champions League, but has only played for the club in Croatia so far.
YANN SOMMER/KEYLOR NAVAS
The contract of the Bayern shock in Gladbach expires, Borussia could now earn a little money with the 33-year-old. Was associated with Manchester United until his rather unfortunate World Cup. A rather unlikely variant – like Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican (35), defeated eleven times at the World Cup, is on the bench at PSG. But Paris will hardly give it to their opponents in the round of 16 of the premier class.
