Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was sent off for the first time in his 866-match career on Dec 3, seeing a straight red for a last-man foul on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.
The 38-year-old rushed out of the box in typical fashion 18 minutes into the German Cup last-16 clash, which Leverkusen won 1-0, taking out an advancing Frimpong.
He was shown a straight red, bringing Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz on for his Bayern debut, and was seen apologising to coach Vincent Kompany after leaving the field.
“It was decisive for the game. It hurts us and I’m sorry. I’ve apologised to the team,” Neuer said afterwards, as quoted by Sky Germany.
“I was still hoping for an offside in the situation. I can’t change it now. It was a mistake and I have to accept it. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
The Bayern captain has seen yellow 23 times during his career. All have come at club level, with the 2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper never cautioned during his 124-game international career for Germany.
Speaking at half-time while acting as a pundit for TV channel ARD, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called the sending-off “indisputable”, adding: “Understanding space has always been Manu’s strength, but here it might have been better to wait.”
The match, between the 20-time winners and current holders Leverkusen was particularly tense, with referee Harm Osmers handing out three yellow cards in addition to Neuer’s red in the opening 22 minutes.
Despite playing for Israel at international level, the match was Peretz’s first game for Bayern, having joined the club in the summer of 2023.
He conceded when Nathan Tella scored in the 69th minute for the only goal of the game.
Kompany, though, said his team’s energy showed great promise as they still had the better chances in the first half despite being a man down with Kingsley Coman, Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer all missing opportunities.
“Fact is we lost and we won’t win the German Cup this season. But with experience we know this was also a special performance from us,” the Bayern coach said.
“If this feeling remains we will win many games but this Cup we cannot win it any more.”
