CORNERFLICK
Lothar Matthäus has named Jonas Urbig as Germany’s best long-term option in goal, while saying the national team does not currently have an undisputed No 1.
Speaking to Bild, Matthäus said Manuel Neuer will no longer be part of Germany’s goalkeeping picture. He added that Oliver Baumann has a strong case because of his experience and his clean record in international duty so far.
But Matthäus stressed that Germany now lacks the sort of clear-cut first-choice keeper it had for long periods with figures such as Sepp Maier, Oliver Kahn and Neuer. He said that is a change for a country used to certainty in that position.
Urbig, who is on Bayern Munich’s books, remains Matthäus’ preferred future pick. He expects the young keeper to play more next season than he did last year, although he also pointed out that it is rare for a club’s second-choice keeper to suddenly become Germany’s No 1.
Matthäus did not want to go further on whether more club minutes alone would be enough. For now, he sees Urbig as one of the main candidates to take the role in the future.