Low Endorses Ter Stegen Vrs Neuer Challenge

By Max Wise

Germany coach Joachim Low has urged Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen to challenge Manuel Neuer for the right to start in goal for the German National team.

Ter Stegen recently voiced his frustrations at his lack of opportunities for the Die Mannschaft in an interview with DAZN.

Despite Ter Stegen’s impressive performances for Barcelona over the last three years, he has failed to dislodge Neuer as Germany’s first choice goalkeeper, with the Bayern Munich shot-stopper overcoming a long-term injury problem to start for the then defending champions at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Ter Stegen, who has made just 21 appearances for Germany since making his debut in 2012, has kept 10 clean sheets and conceded 24 goals in 26 La Liga appearances this season, while Neuer boasts seven clean sheets with 23 conceded in 22 Bundesliga appearances.

"I think it's absolutely okay what he said," Low told DAZN.

"It was not an attack towards Manuel Neuer or us coaches. He formulated his ambitions and he is absolutely right to do that because he became a really great goalkeeper in the last two or three years.

"We are happy to have two world-class goalkeepers in Germany. I said last year that Neuer is the number one, also because he is our captain. But this year we have a little restart and Marc will get his chances in the qualification for Euro 2020. The Euros are next summer, we have a little time left until then.

"Of course, there will be a fight [for the number one role]. At the end, the performances always count. Manuel made good performances at the World Cup, although he had a long injury before. Both goalkeepers are on a great level, so this year we'll see what happens. Surely Marc will also get a few games."