Neuer is back after 331 days

The legendary goalkeeper of Germany and Bayern Munich Manuel Neuer will finally return to the field. He has completely healed his broken leg, improved his form and will be ready to be in goal this Saturday against Darmstadt in the 9th round of the Bundesliga. The 37-year-old goalkeeper played his previous competitive game on December 1 last year, in the national team jersey against Costa Rica (4:2). Although Germany won, they were eliminated from the World Cup, having previously lost to Japan (1:2) and drawn with Spain (1:1).

After returning from Qatar, Neuer went skiing, where he fell and broke his leg. That's why he had to take a long sick leave. Sven Ulreich stood in his place in the goal of the Bavarians. This season, the 35-year-old goalkeeper defended in 12 matches, eight in the league, three in the Champions League and one in the German Supercup. Bavarian coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Neuer will lead his team against Darmstadt with the captain's armband.

"I also feel how excited he is. He is enjoying the moment and has every reason to be proud of himself. His return is impressive, I'm sure he will return to top form very quickly", said Tuchel.

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This will be Neuer's 489th game in the Bayern jersey, the first after 350 days. The last time he defended the Bavarians' goal was against Schalke (2:0).

"I'm really excited about coming back. There is nothing better than being on the field with your team. Sven made my recovery easier, because we all knew that the club was in a safe pair of gloves" Neuer said.

With Bayern, he won 11 titles, two Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups and six German Cups. Currently, the Bavarians are third with 20 points, two less than Bayer Leverkusen and one less than Stuttgart. Darmstadt is 12th with seven points. He tied two triumphs, over Werder (4:2) and Augsburg (2:1), but in the last round, he lost against RB Leipzig (1:3). The last time Bayern and Darmstadt met in the 2016/2017 season, the Munich giants won twice with 1:0 each. Neuer defended only in the first of those two games.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 9

Friday

Bochum - Mainz 2-2 (1-0)

/Stoger 21, Schlotterbeck 81 - Schlotterbeck 59(og), Krauss 96/

Saturday

16.30: (1.90) Stuttgart (3.70) Hoffenheim (3.90)

16.30: (2.75) Werder (3.05) Union Berlin (2.80)

16.30: (3.05) Augsburg (3.50) Wolfsburg (2.40)

16.30: (1.80) M' gladbach (3.70) Heidenheim (4.40)

16.30: (1.10) Bayern (13.0) Darmstadt (25.0)

19.30: (1.43) RB Leipzig (4.60) Koln (7.25)

Sunday

16.30: (3.10) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.50) Dortmund (2.25)

18.30: (1.30) Leverkusen (5.80) Freiburg (9.00)

***odds are subject to change***