"Even when Neuer finally retired from international duty after EURO 2024, he had an understudy in FC Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen - who for years had been waiting patiently in the wings. But succession plans have a way of going awry. Ter Stegen promptly suffered a patellar tendon rupture that September, leaving national team coach Julian Nagelsmann scrambling for reserves. Baumann was among them; Bayern loanee and VfB Stuttgart's Alexander Nübel another strong contender."
"First, Ter Stegen's position at Barcelona deteriorated rapidly. The Catalans signed Joan Garcia from Espanyol over the summer, and Barça coach Hansi Flick - who had preceded Nagelsmann at the Germany post, as well as at Bayern before that - froze him out. Ter Stegen still hasn't made an appearance for Barça this year and Nagelsmann acknowledged that the 33-year-old needed to find playing time."
Oliver Baumann made his national team debut in October 2024 and initially appeared a temporary solution for the Germany goalkeeper role. Manuel Neuer had long dominated the position, and Marc-André ter Stegen stood as the expected successor. Ter Stegen suffered a patellar tendon rupture in September, prompting coach Julian Nagelsmann to call on backups including Baumann and Alexander Nübel. Ter Stegen returned in June for a semifinal defeat to Portugal but subsequently lost his place at Barcelona after Joan Garcia's signing and being frozen out, leaving him without appearances this year. Bayern, led by Manuel Neuer, regained dominance while Baumann produced immense shot-stopping to solidify his place among Germany's alternatives.
Read at Bavarian Football Works
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