Germany beaten by Austria 2-1 on Neuer’s return

AP, Klagenfurt :
Manuel Neuer played his first match since September as Germany was beaten 2-1 by Austria in its penultimate warmup game for the World Cup on Saturday.
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper, who has recovered from a hairline fracture in his left foot, played the entire match but couldn’t prevent the world champions, who were missing several regulars, from losing for the second straight game after a 1-0 defeat to Brazil in March.
Coach Joachim Loew gave Neuer a chance of proving his fitness for the tournament in Russia, two days before he has to announce his final 23-man squad for the World Cup.
“It was a good comeback after such a long time. He had two, three excellent saves,” Loew said about Neuer, who played his 75th international game but first since Oct. 2016.
“I will talk to Manuel tomorrow. He hasn’t had problems in the match or in training this week,” the coach added.
It was Germany’s first defeat against neighboring Austria in 32 years, and it left the team still winless in 2018 after three games.
Germany plays Saudi Arabia in its last warmup game Friday before starting its World Cup title defense against Mexico on June 17. Group F also includes Sweden and South Korea.