Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer discussed how he approaches one-vs-ones in a recent interview for Bundesliga.com, and whether his own legendary status as one of the greatest of all time can affect
opposing strikers.
For his part, Neuer downplayed the impact of psychology — even though it is said that his stature is an intimidating one.
“I notice it when young players come through here at Bayern and I meet them for the first time,” Neuer explained in comments captured via @iMiaSanMia. “However, it’s different during games because the players who start or who come off the bench have had trust placed in them and they need to go about their job and try to get the better of me.
“I try to use my experience to put off the opposition and to show them enough respect that they might end up making the wrong decision.”
As we saw against Arsenal, that doesn’t always work out. In a one-on-one situation — or one soon to become one — the goalkeeper is at an extreme disadvantage. Getting in an opponent’s head is a powerful tool in the arsenal, but in the end, as Neuer says, you’re still left hoping the attacker doesn’t make all the right moves.
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