Sixth game, sixth win? Sven Ulreich will also stand in for the missing national soccer goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in goal for FC Bayern against Mainz 05.
The comeback of the captain, who has had to pause with a shoulder injury since his last appearance in the 2-2 Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund, has been further delayed. The fact that this has not been a handicap for the German record champions in the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB Cup so far is also due to the 34-year-old Ulreich, who is doing a strong job as a new substitute.
Ulreich “does it superbly”
From zero to one hundred, Ulreich can do that. And coach Julian Nagelsmann is impressed by how the noble reservist performs his role and performs immediately when he comes off the bench. “We’re glad we have someone who is always there when he’s needed. He’s a good guy and an important guy for the team, who lives up to his role and is aware of his role. He doesn’t need a long start-up period to get the tension you need,” said Nagelsmann before today’s game (3:30 p.m. / Sky) against Mainz.
Five wins with 19:4 goals are in Ulreich’s record since his cold start in the 4:2 group game of the Champions League at Viktoria Pilsen. “He does an outstanding job,” praised Nagelsmann. Especially in terms of football, Ulreich would represent Neuer, who is two years his senior, “with a lot of courage in the opening, not just with long balls, but with good ideas to play flat into midfield,” as the Bayern coach emphasized on Friday. Thanks to Neuer, the Munich defenders are used to involving the goalkeeper intensively in the game.
“The boys have great confidence in Ulle”
“Manu is the best goalkeeper in the world, also in football. You’re used to always playing back passes. But the lads have a lot of trust in Ulle. He’s already played a few Champions League games under his belt,” said Nagelsmann to the experienced goalkeeper. Ulreich knows that no matter how well he plays, he has to go back to the bench once Neuer is fit. “When Manu can play depends on the pain in his shoulder,” he said after the 3-0 win at FC Barcelona.
Ulreich enjoys the phase in the Munich limelight. And at the moment things are happening in quick succession for the serial winner and his teammates. “We’re challenged again against Mainz,” said Ulreich. After the home game he wants to be the leader of the table. Union Berlin is one point ahead of Bayern, but only plays Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday. It is even certain that Ulreich will be represented in goal again on November 1st in the last Champions League game before the World Cup against Inter Milan. The captain will return to the Bayern goal in a week in Berlin against Hertha BSC at the earliest. That’s what Nagelsmann announced.
