Ex-Germany stopper Maier slams Neuer: 'You used to save those'
· Yahoo Sports
Former Germany goalkeeper Sepp Maier has lambasted Manuel Neuer for his performance in the 2-1 loss to Ecuador at the World Cup.
Bayern Munich's Neuer, 40, came out of international retirement for the tournament but the 2014 World Cup winner has looked shaky at times. Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann was solid in qualifying before being ditched as number one in the weeks before the finals.
Visit newsbetting.bond for more information.
Maier, who helped Germany lift the 1974 World Cup, felt Neuer should have reacted quicker for Ecuador's winner on Thursday.
"The whole team was alarmingly weak. That said, Manu should have come out to meet the ball sooner, rather than waiting for it. A goalkeeper of his calibre needs to be more proactive in situations like that," the 82-year-old told Sport1 on Friday.
"He really needs to take a good look at himself. Manu, you used to save those with ease."
In contrast, fellow former Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand defended Neuer, whose side were already through to the last 32.
Hildebrand, who had seven caps 2004-07, said those nitpicking had missed mistakes by other Germany players in the build-up to the goal.
"Everyone is looking for someone to blame again," Hildebrand said on Instagram.
He added that he could not understand headlines about a "goalkeeping blunder" or "goalkeeping error" by Neuer.
"I'm telling you, you all have no idea," the former Bundesliga keeper said. "Now Neuer is supposed to be the idiot. It really disgusts me."