Munich (dpa) – Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is excited to start the new Bundesliga season at home to Werder Bremen on Friday with Germany teammate Mats Hummels in front of him.
The defender made the switch from Borussia Dortmund to rivals Bayern in the close season and should give the German champions more consistency at centre-back after injuries last term led to a series of changes.
«Mats applies himself fully, that’s important for organization. He will be an important leader in the team,» Neuer told a news conference.
«I’m very excited. We’re happy to get going.»
Werder prepared for the Bundesliga opener in comical fashion, losing
2-1 to third tier Sportfreunde Lotte in the German Cup first round at the weekend.
But Neuer is expecting a tough test from a side which narrowly avoided relegation last season while Bayern romped to a fourth straight title and won the Cup.
«Last season does not count anymore,» said Neuer. «Even Lotte no longer counts.»
Bayern’s final season under Pep Guardiola did not all go to plan though as they lost in the Champions League semi-finals to Atletico Madrid after France striker Antoine Griezmann bagged the decisive goal.
Carlo Ancelotti’s new side could be drawn alongside the Spanish side in Thursday’s draw for this season’s Champions League group stage.
«We are not afraid of Atletico Madrid or Antoine Griezmann,» Neuer added.
It is another big season for Neuer on the international front as he is expected to be named the permanent Germany captain following the international retirement of Bastian Schweinsteiger.
He already skippered Germany for five of six games at Euro 2016 when Schweinsteiger was not fully fit. Neuer said he was «relaxed» ahead of coach Joachim Loew making a decision for the friendly against Finland next Wednesday.
«There is no argument against a goalkeeper being captain,» the 30-year-old added.
