SINGAPORE - The biggest games in football require the biggest personalities and that is why Manuel Neuer will start in goal for Germany in their World Cup opener against Mexico on Sunday (June 17) in Moscow.
The 32-year-old has played only 360 minutes of competitive action in the past nine months after a metatarsal fracture in his left foot. But Roman Weidenfeller had no doubt his former international team-mate was the clear choice of No. 1 for the defending champions.
Weidenfeller, who won the Bundesliga twice with former club Borussia Dortmund, was Neuer's understudy at the 2014 edition, a similar position that current back-up Marc-Andre ter Stegen finds himself.
The 37-year-old Weidenfeller, who retired last season after 16 years at Dortmund and is in Singapore as the club's ambassador in Asia, told The Straits Times on Saturday (June 16): "Neuer always performs in the biggest games and ter Stegen needs a little bit of time to give a good performance every time.
"Ter Stegen is the next 'keeper behind Neuer for us, he will be a great 'keeper. But we need some time.
"Neuer was the most important player at the 2014 World Cup and he will be there for Germany in the big games this time."
While Neuer has missed the bulk of last season for Bayern Munich, ter Stegen is coming off a stellar season with Barcelona where he kept 18 clean sheets and helped them capture the LaLiga title.
Despite that form, Germany manager Joachim Low is retaining faith with Neuer, who is also Die Mannschaft's captain.
Weidenfeller said: "It is not easy for Jogi, but he knows how the players work best together in the biggest games. I think he will still put Neuer in the goal.
"It's a long time I know, but he (Neuer) is a great player and he has plenty of international experience. He knows the players really well to fit back into the team."
Besides ter Stegen, 26, Low can also field Paris Saint-German's first-choice Kevin Trapp, 27, in Russia.
Such strength in depth will be key, noted Weidenfeller.
"They push Neuer and it's important to have good back-ups that are ready to come on in goal."
After Mexico, Germany face Sweden (June 23) and South Korea (June 27) in Group F.
Weidenfeller said: "The first game is very important to win, we beat Portugal (4-0 to start their campaign in 2014). It was a big game after we were really relaxed. The start is really complicated."
The last country to win back-to-back world titles was Brazil (1958, 1962) and Weidenfeller was confident his countrymen were ready to create history.
He said: "Real Madrid won the Champions League three times in a row when people said it was impossible. Germany has a chance but it is not easy, they need a little bit of luck, but they have the team to win."
