16th clean sheet against Hertha
Sat | 06/02/21 | 00:36
Neuer's record brings Bayern three points in Berlin
Despite the snow flurries in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, Manuel Neuer was on fire on Friday evening. The Germany international had to be wide awake in the 3rd minute to stop a one-on-one against Hertha's Dodi Lukébakio. The keeper maintained the upper hand in the duel against the Berlin striker with a reaction save with his foot, keeping Bayern in the game.
Neuer was always there against Hertha, including for Lukébakio's deflected free kick attempt.
Praise from Salihamidžić and teammates
"Manu stood up well at the beginning," said board member for sport Hasan Salihamidžić, praising the first of seven saves made by the 34-year-old in Bayern's hard-fought 1-0 away win in the capital. The world's best goalkeeper made sure of three important points for the record champions with a history-making clean sheet against Die Alte Dame.
The Bayern captain kept his 16th clean sheet in 23 matches against Hertha, more than any other keeper against a single Bundesliga club. He exceeded the record set by Oliver Reck, who kept 15 career clean sheets against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Neuer explained what distinguishes his goalkeeping game in the latest issue of members' magazine "51":
Neuer's historic clean sheet was especially important as the Bayern attacking machine didn't really get going in Berlin, apart from Kinsgley Coman's winning strike, which marked Bayern's 51st straight competitive game of scoring at least one goal. Even when Bayern's goalkeeper created a chance with a long clearance shortly before the interval, Robert Lewandowski, who had no joy that evening, could not finish it off.
Neuer threw himself in the way of Berlin attacks in the second half and ultimately guaranteed Bayern's 15th win of the season. "Of course he's in goal for that reason, he stood up very well against a strong attack," emphasised coach Hansi Flick afterwards. The keeper's teammates knew the game could have ended differently without their No1 in top form. "Of course you need a bit of luck," said Thomas Müller, "and we still have Manuel at the back."
More reaction to the 1-0 in Berlin can be found here:
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