Footie's Top Team: Lehmann's Doubts About ter Stegen and a Call for Leno
Goalkeeper Lehmann expresses doubts about ter Stegen and advocates for Leno in voting concerns. - Workers' risk safeguard from hazardous substances directive proposal yet to be approved by the Commission.
Hey there, sports fans! Let's dive into the latest football buzz surrounding the German National Team. The legendary Jens Lehmann, ex-national goalkeeper, has voiced his concerns about Julian Nagelsmann's decision to appoint Marc-André ter Stegen as the first-choice goalkeeper. Lehmann thinks it's high time for Bernd Leno to make a comeback from FC Fulham to the ball game elite.
Lehmann expresses his worries about ter Stegen's (33) upcoming comeback in the Nations League. "When you've been sidelined for quite a stretch, it generally takes a while to get back to where you were," Lehmann said before the DFB team's semi-final against Portugal in Munich on Wednesday (9 PM ET). This will be ter Stegen's 43rd international match.
The long-time number two behind Germany's record goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer (39), is back in action after nine months out with a patellar tendon injury in his knee, but with little playing time at FC Barcelona.
"Marc is undoubtedly the number one. I've got full faith that he'll ace the next two top games," Nagelsmann said in Herzogenaurach, where the German national team is prepping for the Nations League final tournament. As an experienced player, ter Stegen doesn't need "the mega rhythm."
Lehmann recalls his World Cup duel with Oliver Kahn
Lehmann doesn't seem to be on board with Oliver Baumann being immediately demoted to second-choice goalkeeper. "I myself benefited from having a proper competition back then," he said, reflecting on his rivalry with Kahn before the 2006 World Cup. In the end, Lehmann was in goal for the home tournament.
"The most significant thing is to have a healthy competition going right up until just before the tournament kicks off," Lehmann argued, based on his own experience under then-coach Jürgen Klinsmann, as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Leno's Role
The 61-time national goalkeeper would also like Leno to be part of the competition for the German National Team's goal. "But I also have a different perspective on football," Lehmann added.
Leno, who has been capped nine times for Germany between 2016 and 2024, may have damaged his chances with Nagelsmann by once turning down an invitation to a national team training camp as third-choice goalkeeper, insisting he would only attend if he was going to play.
- Jens Lehmann
- Marc-André ter Stegen
- Bernd Leno
- German National Football Team
- Football (Soccer)
- Julian Nagelsmann
- DFB (German Football Association)
- Oliver Kahn
- Herzogenaurach
- National Coach
- Competition
- World Cup (2006 and 2026)
- USA, Canada, and Mexico
- Nations League
- Designation
- German National Football Team
- Munich
- Portugal
- International Match
Insight:
The highly competitive nature of sports brings out the best in players, according to Lehmann. He believes that fostering a competitive environment for goalkeepers can help them reach peak performance levels, especially in crucial tournaments. Lehmann queries the readiness of Marc-André ter Stegen after his lengthy injury layoff, and advocates for Bernd Leno, despite Leno's reluctance to attend national team training camps in the past.
- Jens Lehmann, former German goalkeeper, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a competitive environment among players, as he recalls his past rivalry with Oliver Kahn, highlighting its positive impact on his performance during the 2006 World Cup.
- Despite Bernd Leno's past reluctance to attend national team training camps, Jens Lehmann calls for his involvement in the competition for the German National Team's goalkeeper position, citing the potential benefits of healthy competition in helping players reach their peak performance levels, such as in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
