Manuel Neuer becomes the laughing stock of all Germany

For the fifth consecutive season, Bayern Munich will not participate in the German Cup final in Berlin in 2025. In the round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen, Vincent Kompany's troops fell by the narrowest of margins ( 1-0), after a goal scored by Nathan Tella in the 69th minute. But another point caused a lot of ink to flow this Tuesday morning in Bavaria: the early red card received by Manuel Neuer in the 17th minute. The Bayern goalkeeper had to abandon his team prematurely and thus left the Bavarians numerically inferior for a large majority of the match against the reigning German champions. As a reminder, the Bavarians had to endure a humiliating elimination last year against Saarbrücken (third division). In 2022, Friborg released the Bavarian ogre, after a handball in the area in the 90th minute from Musiala. Without forgetting the slap inflicted by Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2021 and the elimination on penalties against Holstein Kiel in 2020.

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However, despite the elimination which will once again deprive Bayern of a great epic in the national cup, coach Vincent Kompany wants to retain the positive from this general performance given the unfavorable scenario. “ It was a match where we perhaps had to score a goal on our highlights. The team played well, but it's a shame because we're out now and you can't go back. But the way the team is going, we think we can play a lot of games. I didn't win a title this year, but we will win a lot more titles in the future if things continue like this. We have to put this aside and fight again from tomorrow to win the next matches “, he explained a few minutes after the final whistle. But it is Manuel Neuer's new big mistake that is making the headlines in Germany.

An expulsion that ruins everything!

In the 17th minute, the German goalkeeper completely missed his exit after a long ball and violently cleared Frimpong with a check. Referee Osmers did not hesitate for a second and showed a red card. “ This hurt us and I'm sorry. I saw it happen. I wanted to stop the action moving forward. I didn't touch the ball and it was there. I didn't create an active situation. But since I didn't touch the ball, the referee decided to whistle and give me a red card. This was decisive in the match. We suffered from this and I am sorry. I apologized to the team. I was still hoping for a little offside in this situation. I can't change it anymore. It was a mistake and I have to accept it, I have no other choice. It's hard. Unfortunately, I came out too late on a situation I was trying to help with. After the red card it was very hard for the outnumbered team, but they really tried everything “, explained the German goalkeeper. For the 2014 world champion, this is the first expulsion in his 866th professional match. In response, coach Vincent Kompany takes winger Leroy Sané off the field to bring Daniel Peretz (24), the current number 3, into the cages.

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But Manuel Neuer's poor performances are starting to pile up this season. He is responsible for his team's only three defeats this season. He had already made several big individual errors against FC Barcelona, ​​but also against Aston Villa in the Champions League. “ It's not really an active situation now where I'm trying to hurt him. But the problem is that I don't touch the ball either. That's the problem. He then runs towards me and I gratefully try to stop him. But since I don't hit the ball, it ultimately suits me. If I'm honest, I was hoping it might be an offside situation. But in the end, you are powerless and you have to accept what is decided “, he concluded on his error against Bayer Leverkusen. Although he is rightly considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in history, Manuel Neuer is struggling to prove himself regular, solid and consistent again. At 38, the time has perhaps arrived to part with a smile while keeping our minds filled with memories marked by 11 Bundesliga, 5 cups, 6 Supercups as well as 2 Champions Leagues.