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.”

Kompany is in his first season in charge and his team tops the Bundesliga standings with a four-point advantage over second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern have also improved in the Champions League after a rocky start this season.

“It is bitter for us. We won’t have a good evening,” Kompany added.

“But if this energy remains then we will win many more games. This team can grow further.”

AFP/Reuters

Bayer Leverkusen twice took the lead but conceded a 90th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at Werder Bremen on Saturday despite striker Victor Boniface, back after being involved in a car crash last week, getting on the scoresheet.

Boniface, playing with a bandaged hand, flicked in a Jeremie Frimpong cutback in the 30th minute to put the champions in the driving seat.

He had missed Wednesday’s Champions League 1-1 draw at Brest after suffering minor hand and foot injuries as a passenger in a car crash on Sunday, a day after he had scored the winner in their victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

Boniface, who has now scored six league goals this season, had a chance to add another on the hour but Werder keeper Michael Zetterer pulled off a stunning save.

Instead it was Werder who scored with Marvin Duksch’s powerful header in the 74th to level. Their joy only lasted three minutes as teammate Felix Agu, under pressure, spectacularly miskicked for an own goal.

Werder, however, came back again and Romano Schmid fired in a 90th minute equaliser to snatch a point.

Leverkusen are third on 15 points, two behind second-placed Bayern Munich, in action at VfL Bochum on Sunday. RB Leipzig, 3-1 winners over Freiburg, are in top spot on 20.

-Reuters

Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, has assured his teeming fans that all is well with him following the ghastly motor accident he was involved in on Saturday night.

Boniface scored the winning goal for Leverkusen on Saturday, in their 2-1 Bundesliga win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

He shared images of himself and his car after surviving a ghastly car crash and on his verified X platform.  ‘God is the greatest’ he wrote.  

The Nigerian star scored a goal which was his fifth for Bayer Leverkusen since the start of the Bundesliga season and it ensured that they climbed to fourth on the table.

Unfortunately, after the game, Boniface was involved in a deadly car crash. His car looked badly banged up and the bonnet was badly damaged.

From the pictures, he looks okay and doesn’t seem to have sustained any serious injuries that would keep him out of action for a long time. However, it is unlikely that he will feature in Bayer Leverkusen’s next game against Brest in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as part of precautionary measures.

Nonetheless, Bayer Leverkusen should be fine without him as they have Czech Republic star Patrik Schick on the bench. However, they would have to be wary of Brest. The Ligue 1 club have won their first two games in the Champions League, scoring six goals against two Austrian clubs.

Boniface would likely be back in full action by next week.