At 38 years old and with 866 matches under his belt, the legendary German goalkeeper received his very first red card this Tuesday, during Bayern's defeat against Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer received, at 38 years old and after more than 850 matches played, his very first red card, in the round of 16 of the German Cup, Tuesday evening, at the Allianz Arena .
In the 17th minute, on a long throw from Jonathan Tah, central defender of Bayer Leverkusen, reigning champion and German Cup holder, Manuel Neuer came out of his penalty area and violently hit the player with his right shoulder. Dutch left winger Jeremie Frimpong, who got the better of Konrad Laimer and Dayot Upamecano. The referee of the match, Harm Osmers, did not hesitate for a second in very logically showing the red card. Neuer was replaced in goals by the Israeli Daniel Peretz, brilliant in the League of Nations with his selection in mid-November, with a draw against France (0-0) and a victory against Belgium (1-0 ).
“I tried to tell the players to be confident, that we could still do it. Then I said a few words to Dani (Daniel Peretz), to just play his match.commented Manuel Neuer in the mixed zone. “In this type of match, you have to make decisions and it happens quickly. It was borderline, 50/50, Manu made a decision and it’s football”regretted the Bayern coach at a press conference after the match.
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I have to accept the decision
Manuel Neuer
“It has already been decisive for the meeting”admitted the Bavarian captain, “It hurts us. I saw him pick up speed with his deep call. I knew it was Frimpong and that he is a fast player. I have to accept the decision, in the end it's the referee who makes the decisions and who gave me a red. I hoped there would be an offside position but it wasn't the case..
This is the first time that Manuel Neuer has seen red in his entire career, i.e. 866 matches, including his matches with the German selection. Outnumbered for more than 70 minutes, the Munich team dominated the match but Leverkusen scored the only goal of the match through Nathan Tella (69th) and qualified for the quarter-finals.
France
