Neuer Criticizes the Referee and Admits the Fatal Mistake

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer criticized the referees in Bayern Munich’s match against Real Madrid, particularly focusing on the disallowed equalizer.

Neuer said in statements reported by the Catalan newspaper “Mundo Deportivo”: “The referee himself knows that he made a mistake. He allowed himself to be carried away by the fact that he was a referee in Real Madrid’s stadium, and this cannot be acceptable at this level.” He continued: “Anyone who has played football knows how I feel now.”

Neuer played a great match against Real Madrid, making heroic saves, but he made a crucial mistake that led to Real Madrid’s equalizer just three minutes before the end of normal time.

Manuel Neuer expressed his emotions after the match, stating, “Anyone who has played football knows how I feel at the moment. We have left the tournament after having fought to the last breath”.

He added: “We were ahead until the 88th minute, so it’s really bitter. We had already taken a step to go to London (to play the final), and we saw ourselves there.”

Neuer continued, emphasizing, “I cannot find the words to express what is inside me at the present time.”

Regarding Vinicius Junior’s shot, Neuer said, “I expected the ball to hit my chest a little differently, but it was a little higher (than I expected), and it was difficult to catch.”

Continuing, Neuer, who has 117 international matches with the German national team, said, “Then Joselu reached the ball faster, and it became difficult to defend against him.”

Neuer admitted feeling “extreme bitterness” and concluded, “As an experienced goalkeeper, this is something I have experienced before, but the goal was harsh.”

The “Los Blancos” team advanced to the final after defeating Bayern with an aggregate score of 4-3 in the two-legged matches. They will face the German team Borussia Dortmund in the Wembley final on the first of next June.