[Oliver_Kahn]

FC Schalke 04 have Manuel Neuer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen have Rene Adler. bundesliga.de takes a close look at Germany's new goalkeeping stars.


The names are fitting: Neuer's name translates "the new one". Adler's name means "eagle", and he tackles the balls like the well-known bird of prey.

Both young keepers are already more than just alternatives or placeholders for big names that used to be number one at the Rivers Ruhr and Rhine.

Debut in Aachen

Manuel Neuer is the undisputed number one for the "Royal Blues". The first time he took Frank Rost's place in goal was on matchday 2 in Schalke's 1-0 away win in Aachen.

"That was fun, but it's clear that Frank Rost will return once he is fit again. But I'd like to be number one keeper in a few years", Neuer declared after that match.

Unbeaten in his first 15 matches

He should go on to achieve that in a few weeks, not years, but after a 2-0 win over Bremen - and another clean sheet - Rost returned into the starting line-up.

Neuer had to wait six weeks for his next chance on matchday 10, and he restarted his unbeaten run that lasted 15 matches.

Nine clean sheets

The 20-year-old has kept nine clean sheets in 19 matches, conceding only 14 goals - a briliant record. He also kept out 78 percent of all shots on goal, compared to a Bundesliga average of 71 percent.

But he knows that he has to keep performing: "It doesn't matter how old you are. You always have to perform to keep your place."

First defeat against Adler

Neuer tasted defeat for the first time on matchday 23, against Leverkusen and - you guessed it - Adler.

Bayer won 1-0 in the Veltins Arena, thanks to an outstanding performance from Adler on his Bundesliga debut.

Adler had taken Hans-Jörg Butt's place between the Bayer posts and kept a clean sheet in three of his first four Bundesliga matches.

Great record

Only Stuttgart's Cacau tried to force the ball past Adler (which couldn't prevent Stuttgart's 3-1 defeat that day). Others even failed from twelve yards.

HSV skipper Rafael van der Vaart's penalty was only one out of many shots Adler kept out brilliantly. After four Bundesliga matches the Bayer keeper has an unbelievable record of 95 percent saved shots.

European stage

Other than Neuer, Adler has also valuable international experience under his belt. He kept goal in Bayer's UEFA Cup clashes with RC Lens, conceding just one goal in two matches. And more matches are to follow.

It's not surprising that Neuer is longing for European matches as well. "We want to finish in the top three. And if we have the chance to be champions, of course we'll do everything for it."

No matter if Schalke finish first or third, Neuer will get another stage to prove himself next season.