Keep a clean sheet - this is the motto of all goalkeepers in the world of football. Of course, it also applies to Manuel Neuer, who can now celebrate having made 100 UCL appearances for FC Bayern! That's how many games the goalkeeping legend has played for the German record champions after a 4-0 victory over Benfica on Wednesday evening. One hundred games - what a number! To commemorate this achievement, #NeuerTheWall demonstrated his world class status in Lisbon with two brilliant acts: First he saved from Darwin Núñez after 33 minutes, before tipping a Diogo Gonçalves shot just over the crossbar (55').
On the heels of greats
The UEFA Champions League is synonymous with the absolute elite in European club football - as do these illustrious names: Oliver Kahn, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Müller. Only these three have played more UCL games for the German record champions than Neuer. Current CEO and former goalkeeping 'Titan' Kahn is within Neuer's striking distance with 103 appearances, and club legend Lahm could also still be caught up by Neuer this current campaign with 105 under his belt. His team-mate Müller, on the other hand, played for the 127th time in the Champions League in Lisbon (49 goals) and leads the pack.
'Enormous for me to have played 100 UCL games for Bayern'
"This is enormous for me, to play 100 CL games for Bayern. Of course, I would never have thought that possible at the beginning of my career. I'm having a great time here and this was a great evening for us tonight," said Neuer, who played 22 matches for FC Schalke 04 in Europe's top-tier competition before moving to Munich. The No.1 can look back on 100 CL games with many highlights: Two Champions League triumphs, in London against Borussia Dortmund (2013: 2-1) and in Lisbon against Paris Saint-Germain (2020: 1-0). Incidentally, Neuer made his first appearance in a Bayern shirt in the Champions League ten years ago against Villarreal FC (2011: 2-0). The 2014 World Cup winner began his Bayern Champions League journey the same way he ended his 100th game: with a clean sheet. Congratulations, captain!
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