Germany's Manuel Neuer fit to play World Cup opener against Portugal
German fans can sleep easy knowing star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will be fit and ready to play in their opening game of the World Cup against Portugal on June 16.
Coach Joakim Löw was relieved to deliver the good news to the assembled media following the team's training session in which Neuer was a full participant after missing time with a shoulder injury.
“The injury situation is causing me less and less concern,” Löw said. “Manuel Neuer took part in training today and he is ready to go on Monday.”
Neuer injured his right shoulder during Bayern Munich's German Cup final victory against Borussia Dortmund, with the injury forcing him to miss Germany's final warm-up games before the tournament.
Löw also expects Philipp Lahm to feature in the opener as well after the German captain suffered an ankle injury in the same match as Neuer. Lahm featured as the team's holding midfielder during the team's final tune-up game against Armenia and Löw doesn't expect any changes for their clash against Portugal.
“I’m fairly confident that will be the same solution for us on Monday,” Löw said.
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