Bayern Munich have not had the best return to competitive football after the first international break of the season. The Bavarian club was held by Viking to a 3-3 draw in the Champions League on Tuesday. Bayern also had to settle for a point against Augsburg in the Bundesliga last weekend.
The 2-2 draw against Augsburg saw a lot of criticism aimed at Manuel Neuer. The veteran goalkeeper was at fault for both goals, particularly the first one, as Augsburg scored inside 10 seconds from kick-off.
Neuer was expected to play against Viking on Tuesday to regain confidence. However, he sat out the Champions League game in Norway after feeling discomfort in his foot. Jonas Urbig started for Die Roten against Viking on Tuesday.
It does look like Urbig will keep his place in the starting XI against RB Leipzig on Saturday. According to Bild, Neuer didn’t train with the squad on Thursday. The 40-year-old completed fitness routines indoors, which raises doubts about his participation in the clash against RB Leipzig.
A final decision on Neuer’s participation against RB Leipzig will come on Friday. Vincent Kompany will give an update on his skipper’s fitness when he speaks to the media tomorrow.
Is it time to give Jonas Urbig an extended run in starting XI?
Neuer was heavily criticised by former players and the media after his mistake against Augsburg. However, Bayern chiefs came all out in his defense last weekend. The line of thought at Bayern remains that Neuer is still a world class goalkeeper and he will recover from this setback.
However, the reality is different. Neuer has certainly shown signs of decline, which is normal for a player who turned 40 earlier this year. The mistake against Augsburg can certainly be a sign for Bayern to think long-term and give Urbig a long run in the starting XI.
Urbig has shown promising signs whenever he has played for Bayern. It would be ideal for Bayern to see Urbig integrated as the club’s new number one under the guidance of Neuer. The young goalkeeper will have a great mentor to lean on while he gets accustomed to being Bayern’s number one.
Moreover, there is a strong suggestion in Germany that this could be Neuer’s last season at Bayern. He will certainly get a chance to bow out on his terms, but there is no harm in managing his game time this season, giving Urbig a taste of being the number one at the biggest club in Germany.
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