Germany's Baumann given top marks for accepting Neuer return

Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann has been praised by the German Football Federation (DFB) for his reaction to being downgraded from starter to back-up at the World Cup.

The Hoffenheim man had looked set to be between the posts in their opener against Curaçao in Houston on Sunday. But coach Julian Nagelsmann decided to recall 2014 World Cup winner Manuel Neuer out of international retirement just before the tournament.

"How he is dealing with the whole situation is an absolute A-plus," DFB managing director for sport Andreas Rettig said of Baumann during a visit to the German House of Soccer in New York late on Friday.

Baumann even had to deputize in the last two World Cup warm-ups as Nauer nursed a calf problem, but the 40-year-old is set to be fit as the four-times winners jet to Texas from their North Carolina base.

"When I see Manu flying through the penalty area and the six-yard box, I have no worries," Rettig said of his fitness. "But I'm not an expert on his calf, I'm neither a doctor nor a clairvoyant. We'll have to wait and see."

Rettig also said the huge underdogs and World Cup debutants Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to reach the men's World Cup, should not be underestimated.

"You won't just casually play any team off the park at this tournament," he remarked.