Ter Stegen starts against Serbia, but Neuer's competition frustrates him

Marc‑André ter Stegen could return to the field from the first minute in the Nations League match against Serbia, after having regained continuity of performance with Ajax, after a period as a backup at Barcelona and a loan to Girona cut short by a thigh injury.

The competition with Neuer

He gave an interview to SportBild. In the conversation he talked about the competition with Manuel Neuer that has conditioned his career in the National Team. He said: “Neuer is not only a great goalkeeper, but probably one of the best in history.”

He added that the competition with Neuer pushed him to improve constantly. He said he preferred more space on the pitch, but the coaches have always chosen Neuer, a decision that must be respected. He recounted moments of frustration, when he felt he deserved an opportunity, even biting his tongue. He described the 2018 World Cup as the most bitter experience on a personal level.

The goalkeeper, class ‘92, is tied to Barcelona until 2028. He said he has not had recent contact with coach Hansi Flick, unlike some teammates. He regularly follows Barcelona’s results and sometimes watches their games when they do not coincide with Ajax’s.