He even replaces Manuel Neuer: The once-hostile Atubolu grows into a DFB titan

An insurmountable titan: Noah Atubolu.
(Photo: IMAGO/DeFodi Images)
The German U21 national team is in the final of the European Championship, where England awaits. A guarantee of success: Noah Atubolu, the SC Freiburg goalkeeper. He pulled off numerous top saves in the semifinal against France. His path, however, hasn't always been easy.
When France tried everything to turn things around in the European Championship semi-final against Germany, Noah Atubolu was, for once, no longer a protagonist. Striker Thierno Barry hit the post in the first three minutes, slipped under a deflected ball, and headed wide. The German juniors experienced a few turbulent minutes in stoppage time before countering and scoring 3-0 thanks to Brajan Gruda. The final was in the bag. Also and above all thanks to Atubolu, who drove the French to despair on several occasions.
Just after the break, Germany were leading 2-0 after a lightning start to the first half with goals from Nelson Weiper and Nick Woltemade, when freshly substituted Barry had his first moment of glory. A low cross found the substitute suddenly free, but Atubolu made himself tall and somehow held the ball with his right leg from close range. Things got even more spectacular in the 68th minute when the energized Barry was free again. He aimed for a diving header from close range, but Atubolu just managed to clear it off the line.
And when his teammates finally cleared the ball out of the danger zone, Atubolu raised his finger. A small triumphant gesture, a salute to the opponent. Nothing's happening here today. Not in my house. He was right, his goal remained clean. "That was my most important and best U21 game," Atubolu said on Sat.1. After not always easy years, the 23-year-old has developed into a top-class goalkeeper at SC Freiburg, inspiring greater hope. This also applies to his future with the national team.
Manuel Neuer ousted as record keeperIn the national youth team, he is already following in the footsteps of Manuel Neuer. He has now surpassed the eternal FC Bayern titan as the U21s' record goalkeeper with his 21st appearance. Atubolu first wore the team's jersey in March 2022 and was already in goal at the 2023 European Championship. "Noah is having an outstanding European Championship," said DFB coach Antonio Di Salvo: "We brought him in three years ago because we knew he was a top goalkeeper, a talent. I have no idea about that, but the goalkeeping coaches said, let's add him. And that's why he deserves to play so many games."
Last season, Freiburg's first without long-time coach Christian Streich, the goalkeeper was a constant, helping to make the club's success possible despite the major coaching changes to Julian Schuster. The club finished fifth and will play in the Europa League next season. It was also a great opportunity for Atubolu to promote himself for even greater challenges. Recently, there have been increasing rumors that top clubs, including those from England, are interested in him. But Atubolu ignored it, focused on his craft, and, among other things, kept a clean sheet for 609 minutes – a club record.
Streich stands protectively in front of AtuboluHe is now undisputed at the sports club. That wasn't always the case. Just under a year ago, Atubolu was facing fierce online hostility. At the end of April 2024, coach Streich defended the goalkeeper. "I'm far too nervous about him. We're SC Freiburg and we have a 21-year-old goalkeeper who has played 40 games and kept nine clean sheets in the league," said Streich. "SC Freiburg is opting for a goalkeeper from their own youth team, from their own city. That's exactly our path." Atubolu may have made two or three mistakes, but he also helped in numerous games to keep the sports club dreaming of a third consecutive European Cup appearance. "There's too much drama on social media, or sometimes antisocial media," said Streich.
Atubolu will guard the U21 goal once more, and Saturday's final against England (9 p.m. on Sat.1 and in the live ticker at ntv.de) will be the last appearance for most of the squad in Germany's premier U21 team. And the goal is clear. "Now we want the title," said Atubolu.
Source: ntv.de, tno
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