After Bayern's 2-2 draw against Augsburg on Saturday, there is a lot of spotlight on Manuel Neuer as his error gave the hosts a 1-0 lead inside the first minute of the game. Bayern went on to salvage a point from the game.
Neuer has the chance to make amends for this error, as Kicker is reporting that he is expected to start against Viking on Tuesday. Jonas Urbig was ‘likely to play two games’ in the run-up to the next international UEFA Nations League break.
Due to Neuer’s susceptibility to injury, the technical staff had already decided to let Urbig play on the Norwegian artificial grass against Viking on Tuesday – Kicker reports. But then the Augsburg away game occurred.
Bayern had a similar situation against Augsburg in January
Kompany spoke about Neuer’s moment of unbelievable inattentiveness after the game against Augsburg. While speaking to the media after the game (via Goal), the Belgian head coach insisted that Neuer has more than enough experience to cope after making such an error.
Of course, a predictable follow-up question was asked: ‘Will Neuer play on Tuesday in Stavanger?’ Kompany refused to answer that question in the afternoon. The same evening, Kicker reported that the plan had evolved to let Neuer play in the upcoming Champions League encounter.
Remarkably, a similar situation occurred last January. Urbig was given the chance to play in goal against Augsburg. He did not play well in the 2-1 home loss, but Kompany decided to let him play in the Champions League match with PSV a couple of days later. In Eindhoven, Urbig made some marvelous saves.
And it is most likely that Kompany will choose the same option again in a similar situation. He does not want to give a blundering goalkeeper a more devastating feeling. But Neuer is 41 years old and has been in much tighter situations. He shouldn't be given ‘special treatment’ like this.
Who will Kompany choose: Urbig or Neuer?
And then there is another pressing question: what game will Urbig play now? It was almost certain that he would play two games before the UEFA Nations League resumes in November.
Of course, the most likely option is the Pokal match against FC Magdeburg on October 28. But there must be another game, evidently promised to the former 1. FC Köln young star. What fixture will that be?
And then there is Neuer himself. He told several sports media outlets in the Augsburg mixed zone that he has a ‘hunch’ about who will play in the Champions League match against Viking.
Uli Hoeness has already backed the German goalkeeper. Club president Herbert Hainer also defended the 40-year-old goalkeeper when he was asked about him during his interview with Bild TV.
Herbert Hainer on Manuel Neuer's mistake against Augsburg: "It was of course unfortunate. Manuel Neuer was and is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He got us points in so many games. Mistakes like yesterday can always happen. I'm convinced it has nothing to do with his… pic.twitter.com/BDoDvpdlX4
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) October 11, 2026
The decision between Urbig and Neuer still has to be made. More clarity and confirmation from Bayern and Vincent Kompany is expected in the pre-match press conference on Monday.
Add us as a preferred source on Google