Neuer named Germany skipper after Schweinsteiger swansong
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been named Germany’s new captain by head coach Joachim Low.
He succeeds Bastian Schweinsteiger, who officially retired from international football on Wednesday with his 121st and final cap. “We are in a fortunate situation with the national team that we have several leading figures who have what it takes to be captain,” Low said on the German Football Association’s (DFB) website.
“For me, Manuel Neuer is the logical successor to Bastian Schweinsteiger. He has everything that I would wish for from a leading player.
“His performances
are exceptional and Manuel is always there for the team, he is a team player and an absolute role model.
“He also has great human qualities. He takes on responsibility, leads the way while remaining cool and relaxed.
“He’s highly regarded within the team while his word carries weight. While the responsibility will continue to be shared across many shoulders, I expect and I know that the leading players will work for the team, on and off the field.”
Neuer has been capped 71 times by his country since making his debut on 2 June, 2009, in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates.
He has kept a total of 25 clean sheets and conceded just 52 goals in those 71 games.
“It is a huge honour for me and it fills me with pride,” said Neuer, 30. 0 Bastian Schweinsteiger: Earned 121 caps for Germany. Hibernian Ladies head coach Chris Roberts and captain Joelle Murray admit they have been overwhelmed by the reaction to their side’s Champions League last-32 draw against Bayern Munich.
The parent club’s earlier decision to play the tie at Easter Road was rewarded in spectacular style when Hibs were paired against the two-time German champions. Bayern’s squad includes five of the players who won Olympic gold for Germany in Rio last month, while Scotland forward Lisa Evans is one of several internationalists from other countries.
Roberts, who was at the draw in Nyon, said: “It’s a huge task, no doubt about that, but it’s great for Edinburgh that we can bring some of the most talented footballers in the world to the capital. The response on social media has been crazy.”
Scotland central defender Murray, one of the few Hibs players to have experienced European football, added: “It’s unbelievable, a real glamour tie. We either wanted a really good high profile team – or one which gave us a good chance of going through to the last 16.
“We got the first, and it is what it is. We weren’t seeded and were bound to get a tough draw.”
If there is a glimmer of hope for Hibs, it is that Bayern surprisingly fell at the same hurdle against Dutch side FC Twente last season. Nevertheless, it would be a major shock if the Edinburgh club were to prevail at the first time of asking in the knock-out stages.
The first leg is at home – probably on 5 October – and the players will be looking for a large home support to give them a lift.
Glasgow City drew Swedish club Eskilstuna United who, while little known outside their own country, finished runners-up in the Damallsvenskan last season.
The first leg will be in Eskilstuna, which is about two hours from Stockholm, with the return leg at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdie, on 13 October.