Ex-Germany goalkeeper Uli Stein has claimed that Manuer Neuer doesn't deserve to play at Euro 2024.
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Article continues below
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- Stein calls out recent Neuer form
- Goalkeeper guilty of errors
- Germany open Euro 2024 on Friday
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WHAT HAPPENED?
In a column for German publication , Stein didn't hold back in his criticism of Neuer and the decision from coach Julian Nagelsmann to select the Bayern Munich veteran for the tournament this summer.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Neuer's form has been patchy in recent years and he was culpable for the goal that Greece scored against Germany in a warm-up friendly last week, spilling a shot into the patch of a forward. He also got away with a late gaffe in the preceding 0-0 draw with Ukraine when a slack pass near the centre circle didn't result in a goal due to an offside flag. Germany additionally have Marc-Andre ter Stegen and uncapped 34-year-old Oliver Baumann in the squad, but Alexander Nubel was left out.
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WHAT STEIN SAID
"If you take a Manuel Neuer with you, you have to let him play. But he no longer justifies it in sporting terms," Stein said.
"With a heavy heart, but with common sense, he should have been left at home – after this shaky preparation! At this European Championship, there will hardly be an opposing striker who is afraid of running alone towards the German goal. A goalkeeper over 30 also needs the luck to avoid injuries. Manuel was not that lucky. For a long time, he lacked the normal training and game rhythm that maintains confidence and security in his own processes in goal. You can see that in his performance now."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Stein played a handful of times for West Germany in the 1980s and was a back-up in the squad that reached the 1986 World Cup final. But he is most famous as Hamburg's starting goalkeeper when the club won the European Cup in 1983.
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