Neuer aims for first Schalke title, in German Cup

Posted Saturday, May 21, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Bayern Munich target Manuel Neuer will lead out Schalke 04 for potentially the last time in Saturday's German Cup final, but the Germany goalkeeper insists he will always be a loyal Royal Blues fan.

"I love Schalke, this club is like a piece of home for me and will remain so for sure," Royal Blues captain Neuer told German magazine Sport-Bild ahead of the cup final against second-divison Duisburg at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

"I can promise that I will always have Schalke in my heart."

The 25-year-old has said he will not extend his contract which expires in 2012 and the 25-year-old looks set to sign for Bavarian giants Bayern or the Royal Blues face losing him on a free transfer next year.

Having led Schalke to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were well beaten by Premier League giants Manchester United, Neuer has been in stellar form despite his team finishing 14th in the German league.

Schalke are bidding to win the cup for the fifth time and Neuer is eager to capture his first title with the Gelsenkirchen club having joined them in 1991.

"We are, of course, favourites and I want to celebrate what in the end would be my first title as a professional with Schalke 04," he said after his team won at holders Bayern in the semi-final.

"It would certainly be something I would remember all my life."

Having announced his intentions to quit Schalke, Neuer said he has been hurt by whistles and jeers from Royal Blues fans.

"The whistles always hurt more, because I have always given everything I can for this club and I have betrayed no one.

"I have never lied or broken a promise, I wouldn't do that, because I love Schalke."

Schalke's chances of lifting the cup are considerable as opponents Duisburg face an injury crisis.

"We are in a very difficult situation," said Duisburg coach Milan Sasic.

"I do not know myself who will be ready to play on Saturday, but we will muster up 11 players."

Sasic has considerable problems as the core of his team are either injured or carrying knocks as the minnows look to lift the cup for the first time in their history.

Captain Srdjan Baljak and defender Julian Koch have cruciate knee ligament injuries, while Austrian midfielder Jurgen Saeumel is also out with a hamstring injury and imposing Brazil defender Bruno Soares is suspended.

In addition, veteran midfielder Ivica Grlic has a muscle strain and defender Benjamin Kern has strained knee ligaments and, to make matters worse, Croatia midfielder Ivica Banovic pulled out of training on Wednesday with injury.

But there is some good news for Duisburg, who are bidding for their first German Cup win at the fourth time of trying.

Austrian striker Stefan Maierhofer says he is over the broken metatarsal bone in his foot and showed plenty of fighting spirit after his side beat Bundesliga teams Cologne and Kaiserslautern on the way to the final.

"The doctor has given me the green light," the striker tweeted on Wednesday.

"In Berlin, I'd play on my hands if I had to."