Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been deemed fit to play Tuesday’s Champions League second leg against Salzburg after recovering from a knee injury, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Monday.
Neuer, who missed the 1-1 draw in Austria, has been out for a month after undergoing knee surgery in February. His services will be in high demand on Tuesday, with Bayern desperate to remain in contention for European silverware “If there is no knee reaction, he can play,” Nagelsmann told a press conference in line. “We know his importance as a player and a person for Bayern. I’m happy he’s back and I hope he plays tomorrow.”
Bayern are heavy favorites to reach the quarter-finals but are under pressure to advance after their last-gasp equalizer to avoid defeat in the first leg. A rule change this season means ties that are tied after the second leg go to extra time and penalties, regardless of the number of away goals scored.
Bayern are nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, but they slipped with a 1-1 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday and are also excluded from the German Cup. “Obviously we know it’s an important game for us,” said Nagelsmann, in his first season at Bayern. “If we don’t get a positive result, it’s clearly not going to be a special season.
“But I don’t expect us to be knocked out. I have justified hope that we will move on and that should be our request and we have to deliver the performance to match. We have to keep up the pace for the full 90 minutes . .” The Bavarians last won the Champions League in 2020 en route to six titles.
(This story has not been edited by the Devdiscourse team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)