Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer questioned his first red card of his career after the German leaders fell to their first domestic defeat of the season by losing at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the DFB Cup.
Captain Neuer was dismissed in the 17th minute at the Allianz Arena after coming out of his penalty area and bringing down Jeremie Frimpong.
“The sending off hurts, of course,” Neuer told Sky, via Kicker, after seeing red for the first time in 864 club and international matches.
“It’s not a really active situation in which I’m trying to hurt him. But the thing is that I don’t really touch the ball. He runs into me… but after I miss the ball, [the challenge is] okay for me. In the end, you’re powerless and have to accept what is decided.”
Manuel Neuer is sent off! 🟥
The Bayern goalkeeper comes out of his box and crashes into Jeremie Frimpong 😱 pic.twitter.com/EBzdZV4WUy
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
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Neuer ‘too deep’ – Nagelsmann
Bayern sacrificed forward Leroy Sane to bring on Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz after losing Roten and Germany legend Neuer.
Julian Nagelsmann felt Neuer’s punishment was justified. “It’s always difficult for a goalkeeper,” the Germany manager told ARD.
Christmas has come early! 😏🎄 pic.twitter.com/XHvj7rWpe2
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 3, 2024
“He’s starting from a position that’s a bit too deep – if he stays deep, he might have a brutal one-on-one, which isn’t pleasant either.
“Ultimately, it’s always a decision made by millimetres. Controlling space is Manu’s great strength; in this case, it might have been better to wait. But hindsight is always 20/20.”
🗣️ Xabi after tonight’s Pokal victory in Munich! #FCBB04 #DFBPokal pic.twitter.com/kvH00243Q8
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 3, 2024
Harry Kane injury
Vincent Kompany’s side were already without 20-goal top scorer Harry Kane because of a hamstring injury, but they had more possession and attempts on their way to elimination courtesy of Nathan Tella’s header.
Midfielder Tella, who scored 19 times for English Championship team Burnley under Kompany in 2022/23, converted from Grimaldo’s delivery as Leverkusen exacted a measure of revenge over Bayern for the first 12 games of the league campaign.
Defending champions Leverkusen went unbeaten in Germany last season but are seven points behind Bayern and three short of second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayern return to Bundesliga action at home to third-bottom Heidenheim on Saturday (2.30pm GMT), when Leverkusen also host fourth-bottom St Pauli.
