BEVERLY HILLS, January 21, (THEWILL) – On Wednesday, Bundesliga bigshots, Bayern Munich, earned a narrow victory over 12th-placed side, FC Augsburg, in the Round 17 league fixture at the WWK Arena in, Augsburg.
The three points helped them create some breathing space at the top with the chasing pack led by RB Leipzig closing in. It was also another scoring match for pointman Robert Lewandowski, whose 13th-minute penalty and 22nd goal in 16 matches was the decider of the game.
However, the history-making clean sheet that the table-topping Bavarians meant the highlight of the tie was shared between Lewandowski and his goalkeeper. Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer had to wait a long while to reach a milestone that has now entered into the history books beside his name.
By ensuring no goals breached his area, Neuer drew even on the Bundesliga shutout record held by Oliver Kahn. Neuer finally secured his 196th clean sheet after weeks of falling victim to a struggling backline especially down the right back where Benjamin Pavard has been beaten once too often.
After the achievement, Neuer acknowledged the struggle in his post-match comments: “We have had ups and downs in the recent past, after the Kiel game we had a boost in motivation that we want to present ourselves again like FC Bayern and to dominate again.
“I think that was a sign of the competition.”
The German international’s 196th shutout did not come easy and there was a bit of good fortune involved to make it happen. FC Augsburg’s Alfred Finnbogason, stepped up to take the penalty the team was awarded after Pavard handled the ball as Augsburg midfielder Iago attempted to go for goal, but he hit the post after sending Neuer the wrong way and the opportunity was lost.
It was deserving karma for the legendary goalkeeper who has been outstanding all season for Bayern Munich and who has been one reason for their form even while Bayern’s defenders wilted as they continue to struggle for extended periods of time.
Yet, the 34-year-old safe hands recognises that there is still work to be done. Neuer admitted that his latest achievement only is the motivation he needs to not become complacent even as he looks to the future of goalkeepers to come:
“You have to try to get better and better. Who knows who will break the next record in the future? Goalkeepers will come after me.”
His next clean sheet will take him past Kahn’s Bundesliga record and establish his status as one of the best between the sticks not just in German but across Europe and the world at large. Yet, it will be all the better for Bayern who are not playing at their best and will not want to give up their pursuit for another League triumph any time soon.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
