Oliver Baumann will become the third oldest man to make his debut for Germany at 34. The Hoffenheim goalkeeper may have had to wait for his chance, but his coach thinks he is ready to grab it.
Oliver Baumann has been a mainstay for Hoffenheim for a decadeImage: Oliver Zimmermann/foto2press/picture alliance
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Oliver Baumann has had to be patient. Now, more than four years since he was first called up for a Germany squad, and 14 years and 467 games after his Bundesliga debut, the Hoffenheim goalkeeper will finally make his debut for the national team against the Netherlands.
"Oli had an outstanding start with many good games in the Bundesliga and the Europa League," said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who also coached Baumann during his first head coach job at Hoffenheim ”He deserves to get an international cap.”
Fight for the shirt
Veteran goalkeeper Neuer has had the number 1 jersey tied up for Germany almost since his debut in 2009. But Neuer's predecessor, Oliver Kahn, said there is little to choose between Baumann and Nübel, who will likely compete for the starting berth until the end of the season due to ter Stegen's injury.
Oliver Baumann (left) and Alexander Nübel are the two main contenders for the goalkeeper spotImage: Memmler/Eibner-Pressefoto/picture alliance
"The position between the posts is absolutely open, I currently see no obvious ranking," he told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday.
According to Kahn, Nübel has one slight edge. "Unlike Oliver Baumann, he has the chance to prove himself at international level in the Champions League. That is an advantage," Kahn said.
Nevertheless, it's Baumann that will start against the Netherlands. It is reward for a career built on solidity, shot stopping and professionalism. Baumann has been at Hoffenheim for a decade, having moved from Freiburg, and is now captain.
"Oliver Baumann is not only an icon and record player for our club, he is an absolute role model,” said Hoffenheim's director of football Alexander Rosen in 2023. "Oli has been through all kinds of highs and lows with us, but has always been a key player and loyal servant, even if he has continually reinvented himself as a goalkeeper."
A look at the numerous records set by Thomas Müller at Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
Image: Sven Hoppe/dpa/picture alliance
Champions League appearances — 156*
Just four days after turning 35 on September 13, 2024, Thomas Müller became the player with the most Champions League appearances for a single club (152), passing Xavi's previous record of 151. Now, only Lionel Messi (163), Iker Casillas (177) and Cristiano Ronaldo (183) have made more appearances in the competition than Müller. *true of 11.12.2024
Image: Peter Kneffel/dpa/picture alliance
Champions League goals — 55*
Müller leads the way as the German with the most ever goals in Europe's top competition, scoring 55. That tally has him in seventh, just one behind Ruud van Nistelrooy, but ahead of Thierry Henry (50). His season-best tally in the competition is eight — which he has managed twice. *true as of 11.12.2024
Famous for setting up his teammates, Müller has made a habit of it over the years. He is currently tied for the sixth most assists in Champions League history, sharing the spot with former Barcelona legend Xavi. Only Ryan Giggs (31), Neymar (33), Angel Di Maria (39), Messi (40) and Ronaldo (42) have managed more.
Image: Andreas Gebert/REUTERS
Bayern Munich appearances — 727*
What started as a 10-year-old joining the Bayern Munich youth side in 2000 and turned into his senior debut against Hamburg in 2008, has now become a remarkable story of the club's most capped player. On September 1, 2024, Müller overtook goalkeeper Sepp Maier and has now played the most games ever for Germany's record champions. *true as of 11.12.2024
Image: Revierfoto/dpa/picture alliance
Bundesliga appearances — 486*
While a special number, it's not quite as many as Karl-Heinz Körbel's remarkable 602 for Frankfurt. But at the start of the 2024-25 season, Müller did become the man who has made the most Bundesliga appearances for Bayern, passing Sepp Maier (again) in the process. After appearing in late November against Dortmund, Müller moved into 16th on the all-time list. *true as of 11.12.2024
Image: ActionPictures/IMAGO
Bundesliga goals — 150
Müller hasn't scored the most goals in Bundesliga history and in fact, he sits in 17th place, five behind Marco Reus. Nevertheless, 150 is a remarkable number and comes thanks, in no small part, to seven double-digit campaigns, including his 20-goal season in 2016. He scored goal 150 the game after he set the record for the most appearances in club history.
Image: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/picture alliance
Bundesliga assists — 222
Müller's remarkable assist total of 222 is a whopping 96 ahead of the man in No. 2, his former teammate Franck Ribery. Reus has 123 in third. Müller has only delivered single-digit assists in three seasons (nine in 2023-24), and in the three seasons between 2019 and 2022 he delivered 21 assists each campaign. In short, if you need an assist, give Thomas a call.
Image: Frank Hoermann/Sven Simon/IMAGO
Trophies — 32
Müller has won an astounding 32 trophies with Bayern Munich, including a record 12 Bundesliga titles. He's won the German Cup six times and the Champions League twice. It's also no surprise that he has the most wins of any player in club history, either. Müller is truly a player whose career will go down in the history books.
Image: Federico Gambarini/dpa/picture alliance
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While that may keep Baumann busy, coach Nagelsmann warned that it may not help his chances in the national team in the longer term. When asked whether Nübel and Baumann would continue to share the role after these matches, Nagelsmann said: "I don't know. It depends on the performance in the league. If someone concedes ten goals, I don't think so.”
Neuer's consistent excellence and refining of the goalkeeper's role make him an impossible act to follow. But Baumann has been waiting long enough to be totally prepared for his chance.
