Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has heaped praise on Vincent Kompany following the club's statement victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Belgian coach guided his side to a 2-1 first-leg win at the Santiago Bernabeu, breaking a long-standing hoodoo against the Spanish giants. Dreesen also singled out Manuel Neuer for high praise.
The “Bestia Negra” is back. That ominous nickname, meaning “Black Beast”, has long haunted Bayern Munich’s opponents, and after the first leg of this Champions League quarter-final it feels very much alive. Yet the return of this psychological bogeyman is only part of the problem for the Bavarians’ rivals.
Bayern’s underlying form is equally alarming. Prior to this match, they had won five consecutive league games, outscoring their opponents 17–3 in the process. Their attack, spearheaded by a fit-again Harry Kane and supported by the creative brilliance of Jamal Musiala, is now operating at full throttle. Defenders who once feared only Robert Lewandowski now face a whole team of clinical finishers.
Then there is the tactical flexibility provided by Thomas Tuchel. The coach has rotated his midfield diamond with a 4–3–3, keeping opponents guessing while maintaining intense pressing and ball circulation. This adaptability was on display in the first leg, when Bayern recovered from an earl
In the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer proved to be the match-winner. In doing so, he even set a new record.
In the Champions League match against Real Madrid, Manuel Neuer proved to be the match-winner for FC Bayern Munich with a series of brilliant saves. Afterwards, the 40-year-old skilfully deflected questions about a return to the German national team.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer joked about the goal Bayern Munich conceded following their 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Real Madrid.
Jonas Urbig has addressed the prospect of becoming Bayern Munich’s permanent number one as Manuel Neuer approaches a definitive decision regarding his potential retirement. The 22-year-old, who joined the Rekordmeister from Koln in January 2025, has emerged as the leading candidate to inherit the gloves from the iconic captain whose contract expires this summer.
Which goalkeepers have won the FIFA World Cup Golden Glove award across the history of the competition? The award was introduced for the 1994 tournament, meaning plenty of iconic goalkeepers, including the likes of Gordon Banks and the initially eponymous Lev Yashin, missed out on the individual award. GOAL has everything you need to know about the award handed to the standout stopper at any single tournament.
