BERLIN: Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said Thursday the end of a 12-year wait to succeed Manuel Neuer as Germany’s number one goalie felt like “a balm for the soul.”
First called into the squad in 2012, Barcelona captain, Ter Stegen will take the field as Germany’s permanent number one choice between the sticks against Hungary in Duesseldorf on Saturday.
In announcing Joshua Kimmich would take over from Ilkay Gundogan as Germany captain, coach Julian Nagelsmann said Monday: “Ter Stegen is the new number one.”
The 32-year-old has had a successful club career, winning the 2015 Champions League as well as five La Liga titles and five Spanish Cups with Barcelona.
Ter Stegen, who arrived in Catalonia from boyhood side Borussia Moenchengladbach in 2014, has played 40 times for Germany but was unable to push past Neuer.
With Neuer, widely considered as among the best goalkeepers of all time, retiring from international duty in August, Ter Stegen said that knowing he was Germany’s main goalkeeper was “a different feeling.”
“I’m glad the wait is over,” Ter Stegen told reporters from Germany’s camp in the Bavarian village of Herzogenaurach, saying the praise he has received since the appointment was “a balm for the soul.”
“I’m looking forward to this new task and to what I have ahead of me. I want to be successful.”
Ter Stegen revealed he dealt with the disappointments “professionally” despite feeling “frustrated,” but added “there were always moments where you said ‘wow, that’s another blow’.”
After their game against Hungary, Germany travel to Amsterdam to take on the Netherlands next Tuesday.
Ter Stegen celebrates being named Germany No.1 after 12-year wait
https://arab.news/5tt55
Ter Stegen celebrates being named Germany No.1 after 12-year wait
- The 32-year-old has had a successful club career, winning the 2015 Champions League as well as five La Liga titles and five Spanish Cups with Barcelona
- Ter Stegen has played 40 times for Germany but was unable to push past Neuer
Rajkovic excels as Al-Ittihad cruise to victory against Al-Shabab
- Al-Ittihad secure fifth Saudi Pro League win of the season with a 2-0 victory
JEDDAH: It has not been the start to the season that Al-Ittihad fans had anticipated. Nevertheless, on their return to Saudi Pro League action after a 36-day hiatus, the defending champions delivered a performance that offered renewed confidence ahead of a demanding run of seven matches in the space of 30 days.
The opening exchanges proved far from straightforward for The Tigers.
Attempting to play out from the back, they were punished within the first two minutes as Abdullah Matuq pounced on a mistake to find himself one-on-one with Predrag Rajkovic, only for the Serbian goalkeeper to produce the first of several crucial saves. Just 60 seconds later, Rajkovic was called into action again, this time denying a header from a corner.
Momentum soon shifted. Roger Fernandes began to cause problems down the left wing, his quick footwork getting the better of Al-Shabab’s defence before he delivered a low cross into the box. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, aided by Karim Benzema’s intelligent screening of Saad Balobaid, met it to open the scoring in the 16th minute.
Al-Ittihad came close to doubling their advantage in the 28th minute. Mohannad Al-Shangeeti struck the far post with a powerful effort, before his follow-up attempt narrowly missed the target, drifting wide of Marcelo Grohe’s goal.
Grohe was later called upon to keep Al-Shabab in the contest, producing a fine save in the 58th minute to deny Benzema after the Frenchman was released by a perfectly weighted pass from Steven Bergwijn.
Al-Ittihad continued to dominate possession, though Imanol Alguacil’s side managed to limit Fernandes’ influence by committing extra defensive cover on the left flank.
That adjustment failed to account for Al-Shangeeti’s runs from deep, as he surged down the right to find Bergwijn, who finished first time to seal the contest for the hosts in the 85th minute.
Late substitute Abdulaziz Al-Bishi thought he had added a third in the closing stages, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
The win lifts Al-Ittihad into sixth place on 17 points, while Al-Shabab remain just two points above the relegation zone, extending their winless run to eight matches since their Matchday 2 victory over Al-Hazem.
