Bayern Munich’s Keeper Substitution Explained Following Bundesliga Win

omidbasir- Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga match on Saturday against Werder Bremen took an unexpected turn when goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did not return for the second half. Instead, Jonas Urbig took his place for the final 45 minutes. Following the match, Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany and sporting director Christoph Freund provided insight into this decision.

Both officials noted that Neuer had sustained a minor calf injury, which is not expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period. Fortunately, Bayern’s successful performance in the 2025/26 Champions League group phase means they do not face a midweek match.

Freund addressed the situation with Sky Germany, stating, “There was a slight tightening [of the calf]. His substitution was merely a precautionary measure. We wanted to avoid any risks, but it shouldn’t be anything serious.”

Kompany echoed these sentiments during the post-match press conference, mentioning, “Manu was quite relaxed after the game. If the injury had been serious, he wouldn’t have rejoined his teammates on the bench during the second half. We simply wanted to play it safe.”