Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick lavishes praise on ‘insane professional’ Manuel Neuer… and insists the 34-year-old goalkeeper is in the form of his life
- Manuel Neuer impressed in Bayern Munich’s win against Red Bull Salzburg
- The 34-year-old made 10 saves as Bayern conceded 19 efforts on goal in total
- The Bavarian side qualified for the knockout stages with two group games left
Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick paid a glowing tribute to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after his heroics in Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League win over Red Bull Salzburg.
The result means Bayern have won all four of their Group A games and qualify for the knockout stages with two games yet to play.
Robert Lewandowski‘s opener marked his 71st goal in Europe’s top competition but the victory was built on a battling rearguard performance, with 34-year-old Neuer making ten saves to keep out the Austrian side.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was excellent against RB Salzburg on Wednesday
The most eye-catching was a superb double stop to deny Mergim Berisha and Enock Mwepu, and Flick paid tribute to the giant 96-cap German international between the sticks.
He told Sky Sports: ‘Manu has been playing sensationally for over a year. With him, the goal for the striker is getting smaller and smaller.
‘He is in the form of his life. He is an insane professional and very focused on his job.
Bayern manager Hansi Flick praised the 96-cap German international for his professionalism
‘We made our way a little difficult because we lost a lot of balls – the ball losses must not happen like this.
‘That is insecurity and recklessness. Of course, we have personnel problems at the moment.
‘It got better in the second half. I’m satisfied with the efficiency and, of course, we have a world-class goalkeeper at the back.’
Goals from Lewandowski, Kingsley Coman and then Leroy Sane after Marc Roca’s red card gave the Bavarian side an insurmountable lead before Berisha’s 73rd-minute consolation.
Flick described Neuer as being in the form of his life after his display against the Austrian side
The 34-year-old made 10 saves as Bayern conceded 19 efforts on goal, including 11 on target
However former Bayern midfielder Flick, who won the treble last year, saw his team concede 19 shots, 11 of which were on target, only recording five efforts on target in return.
And Neuer stated the Bayern defence was not good enough.
He added: ‘We have conceded too many goals recently. It was, of course, also down to the opponents. We played against a strong team. We lost the ball too easily and that hurt us.
‘It is important that we won today and are group winners. You do what you can.’