Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper, offered a sarcastic response to the insults hurled at him by Schalke supporters during Saturday’s goalless draw between the two sides in the Bundesliga’s second matchday. The German shot-stopper, who spent two decades at Schalke before moving to Bayern, was greeted with jeers and offensive chants, including being called a derogatory name.
Neuer's Ironic Take on the Abuse
When asked if he would have preferred more appreciation and applause from the Schalke faithful instead of the hostile reception, Neuer replied with a smirk: “These are compliments. This is love, that’s what I say.” His words underscored a playful defiance in the face of the crowd’s negativity.
A Fond Return to Gelsenkirchen
Despite the hostile atmosphere, Neuer expressed genuine warmth about coming back to his former stomping ground. “It was nice to return. I spent 20 years here, and I learned everything here. My family lives here. I really enjoyed it,” he said, reflecting on his deep roots in the region.
Assessing Bayern's Performance
Turning his attention to the match itself, Neuer analyzed Bayern’s display with a critical eye. “We had 15 minutes where we weren’t in the best position or at our best speed, but I think we controlled the game, and all the statistics confirm that. We weren’t effective, and we didn’t capitalize on our big chances,” he admitted.
He also singled out an opponent for praise: “Loris (Karius) deserved the man of the match award; he made three very big saves.”
Looking Ahead
With just two Bundesliga matches played, Neuer downplayed the significance of the early league table. “We don’t really need to look at the standings after two games. We have a Champions League match next week (against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt), and we want to win and start well. After that, we have a tough away game in Elversberg. We’re taking it one game at a time,” he concluded.
