Yann Sommer satisfied with short stint at Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich had to look for a new goalkeeper in the two consecutive transfer windows. The Bavarian club recently signed Daniel Peretz from Maccabi Tel Aviv to add more depth to the position. However, the situation in January was completely different for Bayern after Manuel Neuer suffered a serious injury during a ski trip.
The record Bundesliga champions initially tried to recall Alexander Nubel from Monaco. The German goalkeeper was in the final six months of the two-year loan spell at the French club. However, Nubel was not keen on making a return midway through the season.
Bayern eventually signed Yann Sommer from Borussia Monchengladbach. After impressing in the Bundesliga for Gladbach, Sommer finally made the next move. The Swiss goalkeeper played all games during the second half of last season, enduring mixed results in terms of individual and collective performances.
Sommer knew it was going to be a short stint, as Neuer was expected to be back by the start of the new season. Bayern and Sommer had agreed a release clause in the contract, which allowed him to join Inter Milan in the summer. While talking to SRF this week (via iMiaSanMia), Sommer admitted that a short stint at Bayern helped him to become a better player.
"“It was a completely new experience for me too. My time there was very valuable and successful. We won the league title. I’ve had a lot of new experiences, all the criticism that both the team and I personally have had to deal with, the pressure and all of that helped me tremendously. I’m very grateful for the time and see it as very successful.”"
Sommer managed to keep eight clean sheets in 31 appearances for Bayern across all competitions. The away game against Manchester City in the Champions League will be memorable for Sommer. Despite the 3-0 defeat, Sommer kept Die Roten in the tie by making several brilliant saves. It could have been an embarrassing result for Bayern if not for Sommer’s heroics in the goal. (Stats courtesy: Transfermarkt)
The Swiss goalkeeper also got the chance to lift the Bundesliga. It was his first German league title. Despite a small stint in Munich, Sommer is right to consider it as an important phase of his career. He has enjoyed a good start at Inter Milan, keeping three clean sheets in as many game league games.
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Meanwhile, Bayern is set to welcome Manuel Neuer back to the team after eight months. The German international could make his return to the action after the international break. The game against Bayer Leverkusen next weekend may come soon, but Neuer is likely to play for Bayern by the end of September.
Sven Ulreich will be the number two for Neuer this season, while Daniel Peretz is considered as the long-term goalkeeping option for Die Roten. The 23-year-old goalkeeper will initially compete with Ulreich for the number two spot before having a go at the number one spot.