By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- It might be the biggest challenge for goalkeepers to stay focused during a game without being demanded.
Bayern keeper Yann Sommer went through that tough period for over an hour in the Parc de Princes before things changed drastically when Paris' superstar Kylian Mbappe turned up on the pitch.
Sunny times turned into a storm-like challenge from now to then. Having survived the attacking tsunami might tell the story of the 34-year-old having finally landed safely at his new club after he was announced as Bayern's new arrival only weeks ago.
The Swiss international not only gave proof of his qualities on the international stage by passing an important exam but showed he is a satisfying replacement for one of football's best, Manuel Neuer.
Doubts seem to have vanished about if the former Moenchengladbach keeper was able to win games as this so far seemed one of the unique characteristics of German icon Neuer.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann might have increased efforts to support the new keeper with some bold statements.
It doesn't take more than 15 minutes to get used to a new team for a good keeper, Nagelsmann assumed after Bayern was forced to pay around nine million euros to replace Neuer after the 2014 World Cup champion was side-lined due to a long-term injury.
The dismissal of Neuer's familiar goal-keeper coach Toni Tapalovic is causing ongoing unrest while the club appointed Michael Rechner as the new man taking care of the keepers.
Altogether it was far from easy for Sommer, to find his spot in the new club amidst the turbulences.
His saves in Paris might help to convince the critics that Bayern has gained a new keeper that can win games just like the former one did.
It took more than 15 minutes to get used to the Munich game style, Sommer admitted but spoke of a gift to count on a solid defense ahead that makes things easier.
"It might be less work for me in some of the league games, but it certainly gets more challenging when we play the Champions League," he said.
League games as a fact might be one thing, but the final exam was waiting in Paris in the person of one of football's best, Mbappe aside from Lionel Messi and Neymar Junior.
It took 73 minutes for Sommer to prepare (and stay focused) until happened what always happens when the French striker is in action.
"He has done a great job," Nagelsmann judged after his keeper turned into the winner when meeting eye-to-eye with Mbappe in Bayern's box.
"That's what makes a keeper for Bayern. You are ready when it counts despite having to wait for long to show your skills," Oliver Kahn stated.
Sommer, he concluded, helped Bayern to stay alive.
"It appears as if he had been around for long," sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic added. Sommer's performance in Paris might have strengthened that feeling. ■
