Müller Defends Neuer Selection
Former international teammate Thomas Müller publicly defended the managerial decision to restore the veteran keeper to the starting role during a podcast interview with Bild.
"Yes, absolutely, because we want to have the best goalkeepers there," Müller told the Bild podcast "Bayern Insider".
Müller clarified that selecting Neuer does not minimize the strong recent performances delivered by Baumann during the qualification stages.
"Of course there is a debate – Olli Baumann has been performing really well and is a great goalkeeper – but if you have access to Manuel Neuer and have seen how well he performed on the biggest stage this spring, then in my view you have to take him as your No. 1," Müller underlined.
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Addressing the public criticism aimed at how Nagelsmann handled the goalkeeper announcement, Müller dismissed concerns regarding the timing of the communication.
"On the topic of communication, I tend to agree with Matthias Sammer: we are professional athletes and there are decisions and disappointments, and that is part of it," Müller said.
Müller urged the team to remain focused on collective success rather than internal discussions about squad announcements.
"If we want to be successful again, we can't get stuck in discussions about whether someone received information too early, too late, or with the wrong facial expression," Müller underlined.
Defenders within the squad verified that Neuer maintained professional neutrality regarding his competitive return, avoiding any direct dressing room tension.