/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67286560/1268076020.jpg.0.jpg)
Manuel Neuer had one of the games of his life in Lisbon, making several vital saves to ensure that Bayern Munich clinched the Champions League title and another historic treble with their 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain. His list of saves included two point-blank shots by Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in each half, respectively. The match could have ended differently had it not been for those fine saves.
Speaking after the match, Oliver Kahn had high praise for Neuer. The goalkeeping legend reiterated that Neuer is one of greatest goalkeepers ever (Az):
“We in German always had really great goal-keepers, but he is undoubtedly one of the really, really biggest greats. If you look at everything he’s won — he’s won the World Cup, won the Champions League twice, and always helped the team — yes, you can say he is one of the best goalkeepers that there has ever been on our planet.”
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21811927/1268080834.jpg.jpg)
Thomas Tuchel also lauded Neuer’s heroic performance in the final, even though it was at his side’s expense. The PSG manager said Neuer was in sensational form in Portugal: “Manu was in absolute peak form at the wrong time — and doing so for weeks and weeks and weeks. He has elevated the goalkeeper’s game to a new level.”
When asked to reflect on his individual performance, Neuer remained humble. He declined to say whether the final was the best match he had ever played: “I played a fantastic game, but you can’t say whether it was the best game in my career.”
If it’s not, then it’s pretty far up there, Manu.
Take another look at both of these huge saves at crucial moments during the match:
The first true chance for PSG comes from a sprinting Neymar who is denied by the heel of Neuer. pic.twitter.com/zt9veqYAep
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 23, 2020
Another stop from Neuer, this time a kick save to keep Bayern ahead. pic.twitter.com/SS27bUYHlu
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) August 23, 2020