Nagelsmann shares thoughts on Neuer’s injury-enforced break against Stuttgart

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann believes it is “better” that Manuel Neuer will not play for Bayern Munich against VfB Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal on Saturday due to minor calf injury he picked up against 1. FC Köln last week.

“From a national team perspective, it's good that he gets a few more days of rest and can then start with us fully prepared,” Nagelsmann said on DFB.tv about the decision not to risk Neuer ahead of the World Cup.

He added that he has been in “very good” communication with Bayern Munich about the decision.

“Together, we weighed the opportunities and risks of this match,” Nagelsmann said.

“We wouldn’t gain anything if he played a great game – whether they win the title or not depends on the rest of the team and VfB Stuttgart – and then perhaps he wouldn’t be fully fit for the national team.”

Even if sitting out this match means Neuer will have “a bit less rhythm” going into the World Cup, it's “no problem at all” given his experience, the DFB coach added.