Neuer poised for more Germany records
MANUEL Neuer could set a German safe-hands record in Saturday’s Euro 2016 quarterfinal against Italy as the world champions bid to add the European crown.
Neuer kept a fifth straight clean sheet for Germany in Sunday’s 3-0 last 16 win over Slovakia, which leaves Germany as the only team yet to concede in the tournament.
In the proud 108-year history of the German FA (DFB), no other goalkeeper has managed five consecutive clean sheets for Die Mannschaft.
The run includes the 2-0 warm-up win at home to Hungary and four matches at the European Championships finals.
Neuer can break another German record against the Azzurri on Saturday.
Only once, at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, has Germany not conceded a goal in four games at a major tournament.
Sepp Maier hopes Germany’s star shot-stopper takes his record with another clean sheet in Bordeaux.
“I hope Manuel Neuer breaks my record. He is the best goalkeeper of his generation,” the 72-year-old former Germany keeper said.
Neuer will win his 70th cap in Bordeaux.
He is two matches from Jens Lehmann’s record of 681 minutes without conceding for Germany, set in 2007-08, but not in consecutive games. Neuer has gone 450 minutes without being beaten since Eric Dier scored the 92nd-minute winner in England’s 3-2 friendly win in Berlin in March.
With Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger being eased into Euro 2016 after a knee injury, Neuer has worn the armband so far at Euro 2016.
He was again rock solid in Lille with a reflex leap to tip a header from Slovakia midfielder Juraj Kucka from six metres out over the bar.
Neuer has been Germany’s first choice since a rib injury ruled Rene Adler out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. – AFP