René Adler [Leverkusen] - Best German Goalkeeper - TalkSoccer

**Oliver_Kahn** · 28-03-2007, 08:12 PM

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** · 28-03-2007, 10:52 PM

Adler has proved to be better than Butt. T-Red, what do you think ?

**Trim** · 29-03-2007, 06:42 AM

Didn't have the chance to see him live, but stats tell, he has been doing well.
The fact that his good performances benched Butt tells enough.

ScaryJeff · 09-09-2007, 04:05 PM

a little vid of his saves against schalke. i can't praise him highly enough

Video Adler - adler, goalie - Dailymotion Share Your Videos

**Trim** · 30-09-2007, 01:42 PM

Despite a 1-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen have received some good news this weekend- Keeper Rene Adler has extended his current contract with the club until 2012.

The 22 year old regarded as one of the best young goalkeeping talents in Germany, has been with the club since 2000, but took over as the number one last season.

“I am glad that we have reached this agreement. Something good is developing here in Leverkusen and I want to be a part of the building of this young team” Adler announced.

The club’s leadership have also declared themselves delighted with the news.

“Rene Sadler plays a key role in our young team and in our future plans” explained business manager Wolfgang Holzhäuser.

“Within twelve months he has cemented himself as the number one, and shown just why he is regarded as the best young keeper in Germany” he added.

Sports director Rudi Völler explained that Adler had shown his class often enough in the past months to justify these claims.

“His style of playing is the way of the future. We are delighted to have him here.”

Goal.com - Germany - Adler Extends Leverkusen Deal

**Trim** · 30-09-2007, 01:44 PM

Absolutely smart from Leverkusen.
They've tied him up now.

It's a good deal for both parties.
Leverkusen are a good side, enough for Adler.

He's a very good goalkeeper.
My fav young keeper around.

Very talented, very strong.
Makes some unbelievable saves.

I'd like to see him as Germany no.1 one day.

Wouldn't mind him at Bayern either.

**Trim** · 18-12-2007, 05:07 PM

Highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler will be out for the rest of 2007 after picking up a hand injury in training...

Young goalkeeping supremo Rene Adler will be out of action for the rest of 2007 after sustaining a hand injury in training.

The highly-rated, Leipzig-born stopper will thus miss Bayer Leverkusen's final UEFA Cup group stage match against FC Zürich in Switzerland.

The former Champions League runners-up have already qualified for the knockout rounds, but they could secure top spot with a favourable result at the Letzigrund.

Adler, 22, emerged as a first team player at Leverkusen last season and has since established himself as the undisputed numebr one at the BayArena.

He is expected to recover in time for the resumption of Bundesliga play at Energie Cottbus on January 3rd 2008, but this isn't yet certain.

Goal.com - Germany - Leverkusen's Adler Out For A Fortnight

**Trim** · 19-02-2008, 02:35 PM

It has been some week for Rene Adler.

First he frustrated the Galatasaray strikers in Bayer's goalless draw at the Bosporus.

And then he secured a point for Leverkusen in the 2-2 draw in Karlsruhe, keeping out several gilt-edged opportunities.

"Outstanding" in Karlsruhe

"Adler was outstanding, a very good performance", KSC defender Maik Franz rang the praises.

A few minutes earlier Adler had kept out Franz's goalbound injury-time header with a sensational reflex save - the last one of quite a few over the course of the 90 minutes.

"He has shown once again that he has outstanding qualities", Bayer coach Michael Skibbe said.

Adler for Germany?

"he has been the best Bundesliga goalkeeper this season", acknowledges Andreas Köpke, goalkeeping coach for the German national team.

Is there a possibility that Adler's international debut is just around the corner? "Of course there's a chance he will be in the squad for the Euro 2008. And that's why I say that the door isn't shut at the moment", Köpke reveals.

Patience and humbleness

Bayer take a patient approach, however. "Rene Adler's time will come. It's very likely that he will be the new number 1 after the European championships", sporting director Rudi Völler believes.

What about the man himself? He's even more patient, there was no revelling in his heroics in post-match interviews. He rather enjoyed the moment on his own.

And if he continues to perform like that, there will be much more to enjoy for him in the future.

**Vargas_4** · 20-02-2008, 04:14 PM

Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper René Adler is in a race against time to be fit for this Thursday's Uefa Cup rematch with Galatasaray

Bayer Leverkusen earned a 0-0 draw in the snow of Istanbul last week against Galatasary.

Goalie René Adler was the star man in a game the Turkish side probably should have won, but Leverkusen might have to do without his services for tomorrow's rematch at the BayArena.

Adler has injured an adductor muscle at the weekend and time is running out for him and the masseurs to get him fit in time for Thursday.

The 23-year-old, tipped to be Germany's next international goalkeeping star, has been undergoing laser treatment to be ready for a game sporting director Rudi Voeller has described as a 'must win'.

If Adler can't make it then substitute keeper Benedikt Fernandez is on standby. Fernandez has only played twice this season, although one of those games was the huge 5-0 Uefa Cup win away to FC Zürich

Stephan · 20-02-2008, 06:59 PM

I can see Adler playing for the German national team someday. He's top class!

**Trim** · 04-05-2008, 09:05 PM

It has been some season for Rene Adler.

He was man of the match in countless games, whether in the Bundesliga or in Europe. Looking back, one week in February surely stands out:

First Adler frustrated the Galatasaray strikers in Bayer's goalless UEFA Cup draw at the Bosporus.

And then he secured a point for Leverkusen in the 2-2 draw in Karlsruhe, keeping out several gilt-edged opportunities.

"Outstanding"

"Adler was outstanding, a very good performance", KSC defender Maik Franz rang the praises.

A few minutes earlier Adler had kept out Franz's goalbound injury-time header with a sensational reflex save - the last one of quite a few over the course of the 90 minutes.

"He has shown once again that he has outstanding qualities", Bayer coach Michael Skibbe said.

Adler for Germany?

"He has been the best Bundesliga goalkeeper this season", acknowledges Andreas Köpke, goalkeeping coach for the German national team.

And rightly so, because the two matches mentioned are just two of many in which Adler has been nothing short of brilliant.

Is there a possibility that Adler's international debut is just around the corner? "Of course there's a chance he will be in the squad for the Euro 2008. And that's why I say that the door isn't shut", Köpke reveals.

Patience and humbleness

Bayer take a patient approach, however. "Rene Adler's time will come. It's very likely that he will be the new number one after the European championships", sporting director Rudi Völler believes.

What about the man himself? He's even more patient, there was no revelling in his heroics in post-match interviews. He rather enjoys his fine form on his own.

And if he continues to perform like that, there will be much more to enjoy for him in the future.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

**Trim** · 17-05-2008, 11:15 AM

Rene Adler has been one of the best Bundesliga players this season. bundesliga.de talks to the Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper.

bundesliga.de: Bayer have ended a winless run of four matches with the 2-1 win at Hansa Rostock. Did the team turn the corner at the right time?

Rene Adler: The win in Rostock was very important, given how our rivals played. But we know that the victory has just kept us in the race. Everyone knows that we have to win against Bremen. If we lose we would probably end the season empty-handed.

bundesliga.de: Werder have won the first leg 5-2 and defeated Hanover 6-1 a week ago. Does that frighten you or is the first-leg defeat a special motivation?

Adler: We're not afraid, we want to win the match by all means - that's everything that counts. We have to play from a well-organised defence, but we also know that Bremen offer many opportunities to their opponents. We play at home and will play for the win.

bundesliga.de: Why will Bayer secure UEFA Cup football in the battle with HSV, Wolfsburg and Stuttgart?

Adler: We don't look at the other teams. We have to win our match, then we're in the UEFA Cup. If we don't we're out. I don't want to add other results, I don't care about them.

bundesliga.de: Coach Michael Skibbe has thrown youngsters Jens Hengeler and Marcel Risse in at the deep end recently, just like he did with you last season. Did you have any tips for them?

Adler: The boys did very well. Jens was a bit unlucky to be sent off in Rostock, but he too contributed to our win. Just like Marcel Risse, who came in because of Stefan Kießling's suspension. I don't know if he will play against Bremen, the coach will decide that. The team know him for a while know and we trust him.

bundesliga.de: The season is almost over. How would you sum it up?

Adler: It's easier to answer that question after the Bremen match. Our goal for the season was to reach the UEFA Cup. If we beat Werder we've achieved that and played a good season. But I don't look back and think about what could have been if we had won a few more matches.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite