Baumann throws a jab at DFB after Europa League defeat

After the 0:2‑defeat of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim against OFI Crete in the Europa League, goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, 36, said that he no longer belongs to the German national team for the time being – a personal low point that overshadows the sporting disappointment of the evening and reignites the discussion about his dismissal.

The first leg of the Europa League ended with a 0:2‑loss for Hoffenheim. OFI Crete dominated the match and gave the Hoffenheim‑keeper few chances. Baumann had to leave the pitch after the final whistle.

„I have known this for a while. The decision I must accept, I don’t like it, that is clear,“ said Baumann at the RTL microphone. „But they are taking a different route and I must accept and respect it,“ he added.

National Team Exclusion

National coach Jürgen Klopp presented on Thursday his first squad for the upcoming Nations‑League matches against the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece. In the 44‑man roster Baumann was completely absent. With that, after the World Cup demotion to second‑choice keeper, he is definitively left out.

Before the summer World Cup, Baumann was still number one in the German goal. However, for the tournament he was demoted to backup in favor of the returning Manuel Neuer. The decision hit him especially hard because he had previously held the starting position.

Personal Disappointment

When asked whether he ever received a fair chance, he replied: „I have to be honest: That in the summer hurt more.“ He added a pointed hint: „How it went, that was unbelievable. Not just from one direction actually.“

Baumann left it unclear who his criticism is aimed at. Some observers suspect that he is referring to Manuel Neuer or the former national coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was criticised after the World Cup exit in the round of 16. The exact target remained unnamed.

The contrast between the collective defeat in the Europa League and Baumann’s personal exclusion from the DFB‑squad highlights how strongly individual fates depend on the team’s success or failure. How the national eleven will deal with such tensions in the future remains to be seen.