Football
Neuer ruled out of DFB Cup final for Stuttgart clash
Manuel Neuer will miss Saturday's DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart because of a muscle problem in his left calf.
Saturday's DFB Cup final will go ahead without Manuel Neuer, who is out because of a muscle problem in his left calf.
FC Bayern said on Friday morning that Neuer will travel to Berlin to support the squad, but he is not yet fit enough to play. According to Sky, his recovery is moving well, although a small risk remains.
The 40-year-old has decided not to take a gamble with his fitness so close to the World Cup, where he is expected to regain his place as Germany's first-choice goalkeeper. Jonas Urbig will step in again for the final.
The 22-year-old backup keeper is set for his 20th appearance of the season, in what is arguably the biggest game of his career so far. Goalkeepers Sven Ulreich and Jannis Bärtl are also in head coach Vincent Kompany's squad.
Neuer was substituted during the final matchday of the Bundesliga season. He had already been sidelined in December, February and March because of muscle-fibre tears.
Last Saturday, in Bayern's 5–1 victory over 1. FC Köln on the final Bundesliga matchday, he came off as a precaution because of calf problems. The following day, he signed a contract extension until 2027.
On Thursday, coach Nagelsmann named him in Germany's preliminary World Cup squad for the tournament in North America. The DFB team will begin its preparations on Wednesday in Herzogenaurach.
