Diego Benaglio, Switzerland's first-choice goalkeeper at the UEFA EURO 2008 has a problem with his team-mates at VfL Wolfsburg. Or to put it more plainly, his team-mates have a problem with him. "He is a really good goalie, but we have problems understanding him because he speaks Swiss-German," joked defender Alexander Madlung. Benaglio has pledged to learn high German but conceded "that may take a while".
The language barrier, however, has been the 24-year-old's only significant problem since joining Wolfsburg from Portuguese side CD Nacional in the winter break. He has had a terrific spring after rejoining coach Felix Magath, under whom he played at VfB Stuttgart between 2002 and 2005. "A determining factor in my transfer was definitely the fact that I had already worked with Felix Magath," Benaglio said. "The three years at Stuttgart really shaped me and my game. The goalkeeper training was very good, but I matured as a person as well."
The Swiss-Italian's return to Wolfsburg also cemented his place in Switzerland's plans, with Jakob Kuhn saying a few weeks after his return that Benaglio would be his No1 at UEFA EURO 2008. "Benaglio is an extremely talented keeper," explained Kuhn. "His character, his composure and his positive body language are a benefit for this team."
Capped only ten times for Switzerland, some might have seen Benaglio as a risky choice given the presence of the 37-year-old Pascal Zuberbühler, who has played 50 international games, in Kuhn's squad, but Magath rates him highly. "One day he will be among the best goalkeepers in the world," said the former FC Bayern München coach. "He has no weaknesses. I don't know if Oliver Kahn was this good at Benaglio's age."
Even the fearless Kahn might have baulked making as bold a prediction as Benaglio for Switzerland's UEFA EURO 2008 prospects. "We will be European champions," he said. "Every team that plays in the championship should want to win the title, otherwise you shouldn't even take a step on to the pitch." If self-belief can be translated into silverware, Benaglio's unlikely prediction may yet come true.
www.uefa.com
I told you so ... I have been watching his performances since he joined CD Nacional of Madeira Isle, back in 2005 and put Hilário ( now at Chelsea ) in the bench. So as I stated in some post here this kid will go places ! I think that he is one of the keepers to watch in the 2008 Euro Cup... Nothing like Ricardo, very week at crosses and late under the poles, specially defending high shots ...
Diego Benaglio is very good even in 1-vs-1 situations. I remember a game last season against Benfica, he defended everything that was thrown at him, in a display of goalkeeping unseen here since Jorge Baptista's 22 saves against F.C. Porto in the match of a lifetime...
Diego Benaglio, Iker Casillas, Petr Cech, Volkan and Bogdan Lobont are among the goalkeepers to keep an eye on this Summer .
On a side note, just heard that the three German keepers called by Joachin Löw are Jens Lehmann (Arsenal FC), Robert Enke (Hannover 96), René Adler (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).
German National Team Coach Löw also called 3 Second Bundesliga's outfield players (!?) * Marko Marin, Oliver Neuville and Patrick Helmes. The first two are VfB Borussia Mönchengladbach's players, a former 1 Bundesliga club, where Kasey Keller and his massive gloves played.
(*) I must say I agree with Löw, some lower League players deserve a chance and they are not to blame if they play lower League football. Also in Portugal there are lots of talented young players and even some goalkeepers in the 2 Liga. So ... Watch out for Germany (again ! ...) because this Löw character must be doing something right !
Hope that this wasn't posted any were else at TBG. If so, sorry and best regards from Portugal.
I think Switzerland could be a good a good outside bet this summer.
Also playing at Home has its advantages.
I think i may support Romania though....
UEFA 'B' Licence Goalkeeper Coach
Im going for Romania (person who used to look after me was Romanian and i also bought the gloves Lobont wears yertsterday)
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