Neuer likely to miss Barcelona trip but World Cup hopes not ´in danger´, says Nagelsmann

Manuel Neuer should be fit to represent Germany at the World Cup but is likely to miss Bayern Munich’s trip to Barcelona next week, according to Julian Nagelsmann.

Neuer last featured for Bayern in their dramatic 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund on October 8, with a shoulder injury leading Sven Ulreich to take his place between the sticks for their past three games.

The goalkeeper will be absent once again when Bayern visit Hoffenheim on Saturday, and Nagelsmann doubts he will be involved when they bid to eliminate Barca from the Champions League on Wednesday.

However, Nagelsmann has eased fears he could miss out on a trip to Qatar, saying: “Manuel is still in pain. He probably can’t play in Barcelona either, we’re planning for Mainz [on October 29].

“Issues can certainly happen if he starts too early, and we want to avoid that. We have to wait until the healing process is such that he can play again.

“I don’t think the World Cup is in danger. Manuel knows his body best and knows with which pains he can play.

“He trained in the weight room yesterday. It’s up and down, day-to-day, but I don’t think it will last that long. I’m hoping he’ll be back against Mainz.”

#FCAFCB

Time to start preparing for #TSGFCB #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/zEVovMZoq9

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) October 20, 2022

Bayern have been forced to cope with several selection problems recently, enduring a spate of COVID-19 cases and seeing Leroy Sane sidelined with a muscle injury.

Thomas Muller is the latest player to be ruled out of the trip to Hoffenheim, leading Nagelsmann to highlight the importance of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

“Leroy Sane is known, Thomas Muller is also out, he has gastrointestinal problems,” he added. “He’s not happy with that, but I think he will be fine before the Champions League game. Other than that, there is nothing new, everyone is fine.

“Kingsley Coman can play again. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting coped well with the games and it’s important that he’s there after Muller’s absence.”

Choupo-Moting registered two goal involvements after starting a Bundesliga game for the first time since November 2016 last week, scoring and assisting in a 5-0 win over Freiburg.

97 – Eric Maxim #ChoupoMoting is scoring a competitive goal for FC Bayern on average every 97 minutes of play – excluding penalties, he has a better minutes-per-goal ratio than Robert #Lewandowski for the Bavarians (108 minutes per goal). Successor? pic.twitter.com/r6EG8rdlxP

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) October 20, 2022

Meanwhile, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward has recorded more goal contributions against Hoffenheim (nine – six goals, three assists) than against any other Bundesliga side.

Nagelsmann made his name as a coach during a successful three-year spell with Hoffenheim, leading the club to Champions League qualification at the end of the 2016-17 season, and admits Saturday’s match represents a unique occasion.

“It’s a special game for me. It’s a club close to my heart,” he added. “I had many successful years there and met a lot of friends and great colleagues there.”

Hoffenheim have taken 17 points from their first 10 Bundesliga matches this season – their best return at this stage of a campaign since Nagelsmann led them in 2016-17 (20).