Manuel Neuer [Schalke] ~ Injured; out for a few months

[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.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Neuer is a fantastic keeper. To bench Frank Rost, you have to be good

[Trim]

Absolutely. Neuer has been doing very well.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Once again, Neuer did very well last week, against Bayern.

[Trim]

Yeah, if it wasn't him, we'd have a deep lead.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Germany are producing some many quality goalkeepers.

When Lehmann retires, Germany have:

- Hildebrand;
- Wiese;
- Neuer;
- Rensing;
- Alder.

Awsome!

[Trim]

Germany always had quality goalkeepers.

[Trim]

Schalke fans attending training on Wednesday had a shock when Manuel Neuer abandoned the session after about an hour. But their concerns will be assuaged by the news that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure only. The 21-year-old goalkeeper is being hampered by a minor inflammation in his left elbow but should be able to resume full training again tomorrow.

Neuer himself attached no importance to the injury and is confident he'll be fully fit on Saturday, saying: "It's just a minor inflammation, that's all. I'm not in any danger of missing the Nürnberg game. I've overdone things a little in the last few days but the problem soon responded to treatment."

Stand-in keeper Toni Tapalovic agreed that there were no grounds for speculation. "I'm not getting worked up about Saturday because I'm assuming Manuel will be able to play", the 26-year-old said. Yet Tapalovic is more than ready should he be called upon to make his first appearance in the Bundesliga: "I'm always fully focused before every game because there's always a chance I'll have to play."

[Oliver_Kahn]

If Neuer doesn't play, Schalke will probably lose the match

[Oliver_Kahn]

bundesliga.de analyses the Bundesliga season 2006-07. Today: the best goalkeepers of the Bundesliga.


Hamburg SV's Frank Rost tops the list of shots parried with 80.3 percent. Manuel Neuer, who followed in Rost's footsteps in the Schalke goal, is close behind him with 78.6 percent.

A lot to do for Fiedler

Christian Fiedler (Hertha BSC) was the goalkeeper who had the most to do last season: he parried 133 shots.

FC Energie Cottbus legend Tomislav Piplica is second with 121.

The goalkeepers with the most clean sheets are Stuttgart's Timo Hildebrand and Schalke's Neuer (both 13).

[Oliver_Kahn]

Defensive trio sign on at Schalke

FC Schalke 04 have rewarded central defenders Marcelo Bordon and Mladen Krstajić, along with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, after last season's fine performances.

'Important step'
Bordon and Krstajić's partnership, about to enter its fourth campaign, played a major role as Schalke secured the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga and 2007/08 UEFA Champions League entry. Schalke's 32 goals conceded in 34 league matches was not bettered in the German top flight. Schalke sporting director Andreas Müller said: "This was a very important step in our planning. We want to see these key men, who have proved themselves on and off the pitch, for as long as possible."

Neuer needed
Bordon, a 31-year-old Brazilian, has extended his deal by two years until 2011 while 33-year-old Serbian international Krstajić will remain at the Arena AufSchalke until 2009. Also staying is 21-year-old Neuer, after the Germany Under-21 goalkeeper signed a five-year deal. He enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term, playing 27 league games after dislodging the now departed Frank Rost. Schalke have been busy of late, also signing defender Heiko Westermann, midfielder Ivan Rakitić and forward Jermaine Jones.

uefa.com*-*UEFA Champions League*-*News & Features*-*News specific

[Trim]

Expected contract extention, well deserved.

[Trim]

Barcelona are tracking Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer according to El Mundo Deportivo.

Neuer was the star of Schalke's progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, saving two penalties after a fabulous 120 minutes on the pitch, and has suddenly found himself under the spotlight.

The 21-year-old, seen by many as the successor to Kahn and Lehmann in the German national team, has reportedly been followed by Barcelona for some time, even before Albert Jorquera suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury.

The Catalans were quick to sign José Manuel Pinto on loan, but his contract at Camp Nou expires this summer, and it is believed that it will not be extended.

Instead, they are set to make a move for the German talent - though Valdes and Jorquera are both expected to stay on.

Goal.com - Barcelona - Barcelona Follow Schakle's Neuer

[Trim]

Manuel Neuer's matchwinning performance for Schalke 04 in their Champions League last 16 game at FC Porto has not gone unnoticed.

Spanish media are reporting that FC Barcelona are interested in signing the 21-year-old keeper. For his part, Neuer says he has no interest in moving away from the "Royal Blues".

Pledged to Schalke

Quite to the contrary, in fact: the Schalke number one has delivered a clear statement of his commitment to the club, saying, "It's news to me. If it's true, it would be an honour, of course, to attract the interest of a top club like Barcelona. But I'm a Schalke man, and feel absolutely at home here. I've got a long-term contract, and I'm not wasting any time thinking about other clubs."

Neuer is much more concerned about his team's upcoming encounter with MSV Duisburg on Friday, stressing that, "We have to carry on where we left off at Bielefeld if we are to achieve the goal we've set ourselves in the Bundesliga."

[RunX]

No .... Thats only rurmors
no barca no nothing ...