EXCLUSIVE: Manuel Neuer aims for another title at FIFA Club World Cup ahead of crunch tie with PSG

As usual, Manuel Neuer has been Bayern Munich's constant at the FIFA Club World Cup and hasn't missed a single minute of the tournament so far in the USA.

The 39-year-old shone with an extraordinary save against Flamengo, and ahead of the quarter-final clash with PSG, the goalie spoke to DAZN about his title ambitions and how he still deals with the pressure of being Munich's number one. 

On being the elder statesman...

"I would say I'm a young-at-heart captain. Of course, there's an age difference, but we try to include everyone and value the players who are involved.

"We're on equal footing in training and do everything together. It's only natural that our interests differ slightly from those of someone who's almost 40."
 

On the generational gap...

"Unlike in the past, there's a flat hierarchy today. You have the top performers who communicate with each other and are leaders, but young players are also being brought in.

"That wasn't the case before. The important thing is not to lose anyone. That's why it's important to communicate a lot and also to talk to the young players, not to let them fall behind, and to make them an integral part of the team."

On his form....

"I stepped back from the national team for a good reason, to focus on the club. I always tried to do my best. I think I made some big saves in every game – except against Auckland, because I didn't have much there.

"I always tried to keep the team in the game, and I feel good, I've performed well, and I want to continue like that."

 

On high press under Vincent Kompany...

"That's our game. I adapt to our defensive line and try to stay high and clear things beforehand. That's always worked well in this tournament.

"If there are situations in the box where I can defend, then of course I'll try. If there are unstoppable balls, it's obviously difficult. There were a few situations where it was simply impossible for me to save the ball." 

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On opponents PSG...

"We played PSG once this season, and we won; it was a close game. There weren't many scoring opportunities on either side, but we were very efficient.

"We played a good game at home, and now we're playing in Atlanta, which is a neutral venue. But this is a team that deserved to win the Champions League because they played the best football.

"They're very confident on the ball, individually strong, of course, they can really work hard, and they're athletic. There's no respite from them; they're constantly pushing the accelerator."

 

On the quarter-finals...

"It's not important for us which knockout phase we're in; the next game counts. It doesn't matter whether it's a round of 16 or a semifinal.

"We're playing against PSG, the Champions League winners, and we know what to expect. I think we've performed well here and want to do the same against PSG.

"I don't think they're looking forward to playing against us. This will be a match on equal terms. Every little detail is crucial. Of course, form on the day and individual quality count."
 

On the Club World Cup motivation...

"It's definitely a motivation for a competitive person. I am that, and so is Thomas Müller, for example. We want to win every game. And when a title is at stake, we don't need to be woken up; we get up on our own. It's a lot of fun in our team.

"We enjoy going to training, even when the temperatures are physically demanding. You have to work harder and fight harder, but that's just part of it.

"We have to accept the circumstances as they are. I think everyone has that gene to go out on the pitch and want to win."

On the best players he's played with...

"Your teammates have had the greatest influence. Especially at the beginning of your career at Schalke with the center-backs, where you had a good defense.

"If you were able to compete with the attackers at Bayern in training, Thomas Müller is obviously a good example, but also Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, and now Harry Kane.

"We've always had top attackers who can do everything in front of goal. That's the best thing about being able to train at the highest level, that you can always raise the bar a little higher for yourself as a goalkeeper."

On his best ever save...

"I believe that in every era, every season, not every game, but every month, there's a save that stands out on its own. I don't really like to think back on those moments; I'm in the here and now, looking forward, and not resting on what's already happened.

"That's what drives us down, because for us players, it's always starting from scratch. It's about being able to win something again, not about what we've already won."

On dealing with pressure...

"You always feel pressure to perform when you play for FC Bayern or are a national team player. There are certain expectations of us, but you have the greatest expectations of yourself.

"I'm my harshest critic in that regard, but I try to let go of that a little and approach games with a cool head and a certain sense of calm.

"I try to radiate that, and it usually transfers from the defense to the team. It gives you self-confidence and a sense of self-awareness that we're Bayern Munich players."

 

On the change in goalkeeping...

"I don't know if many goalkeepers are still higher up the pitch these days. It's more and more the case that many are becoming more involved in the build-up play. It's used to build up and create scoring opportunities.

"That's the difference from before. There were more long balls, or maybe one or two passes, followed by a long ball. Teams try to build up in this way to create a scoring opportunity."

On Gianluigi Donnarumma 

"He's a world-class goalkeeper with a long wingspan, who can anticipate very well, and who's also very quick in the corners. He has a height that makes it difficult to score goals."
 

 

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