The Freiburg GK and FC Bayern’s Jonas Urbig represent Germany’s next generation — and they’re learning from the GOAT.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has a strong admirer in SC Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu.
Atubolu, 23, is one of several up-and-coming keepers in the Germany ranks and a potential successor down the line to, well, whoever starts at the World Cup next summer. Oliver Baumann is 35. Marc-André ter Stegen is 33, and risking his spot on the national team by not playing for Barça and not leaving, either.
And then, of course, there is Neuer. Whether he comes out of retirement or not, he’s got GOATed status and rightfully so. For Atubolu, he is a model to follow.
“I’m learning a lot from him. For me, he’s the best goalkeeper there’s ever been,” Atubolu said in remarks captured by Sky Germany (via @iMiaSanMia). “He completely changed the game. He’s a completely different goalkeeper than anyone else, with a completely different technique, a unique technique.
“I also honestly ask a lot of questions about Manu, for example, to [Germany GKs coach Andreas Kronenberger]. I’m interested in how he lives, how he trains, because even from a distance, I can still learn a lot from him. I watch his matches or highlights and pay attention to what he does in which situations, and I can also learn a lot from the games against Bayern.”
Atubolu may have to battle Neuer’s designated Bayern successor, Jonas Urbig, in future national team call-ups. But that is an issue for another day. For now, he’s in his third straight season starting and starring for Freiburg in the Bundesliga, and featuring in Germany’s youth setup.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Category: General Sports
