JB’s Column

One definition of a genius is when someone does somethimg that defies the ordinary wisdom, but which turns out to work. And Manuel Neuer fits this description in this era. Though In his side’s 3-2 win over Paderborn recently, Neuer did something which captured perfectly the anxiety-inducing protagonism of the modern goalkeeper. Charging out of his area which has become so synonymous with the World Cup winner, The German found himself less than ten yards from the left-hand side touchline. He was nut-megged by Dennis Srbeny and seconds later the ball was in the back of the net. Neuer’s career is filled with these types of unforced errors. He is known for moving away from his goal-line so fast. Some goalkeepers’ entire careers are defined by one or two such flaws; one only has to look a...