Bayern veteran Neuer primed for one final battle with rivals Real
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saves a shot from Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe (Oscar DEL POZO) Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer is saddling up for Wednesday's Real Madrid quarter-final second leg at home in what could be his final season before riding off into the sunset. Though not the risk-hungry, 'sweeper keeper' of his prime, the two-time Champions League winner was outstanding in Bayern's 2-1 first-leg victory in Madrid. Named man of the match, Neuer made nine saves and succeeded in keeping Real's danger men Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior at bay, for the most part.
Neuer, who turned 40 in March, has a contract in Munich until the end of the season. Bayern seem willing to offer their long-time 'keeper and captain another year, but Neuer has repeatedly said he is still weighing up his future. The 2014 World Cup winner has struggled with muscle injuries in the past two seasons.
Normally the first name on the teamsheet, this campaign he has missed 11 games as he battles persistent calf muscle strains. Having already ruled himself out of World Cup contention this summer, ending the season with a third Champions League crown alongside a record-equalling 13th Bundesliga title would be a perfect sign-off. While Bayern have always sat atop German football, Neuer's arrival alongside other modern greats including Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger helped push the club into the stratosphere.
Bayern had never won more than three Bundesliga titles in a row before Neuer signed in 2011 but have only missed out twice in the 15 subsequent seasons. Two of Bayern's six Champions League titles have come with Neuer between the sticks. Even after 15 years, Bayern are still not immune to Neuer's brilliance.
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen last week said: "We had something Real didn't -- our world-class goalkeeper, our x-factor. " Centre-back Jonathan Tah asked reporters, "are you surprised? ", and added: "He simply exudes something special, especially with the saves he keeps making.