AMSTERDAM • Thomas Muller has apologised for his gongfu-style kick to the head of Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico, which saw the Germany star being sent off in Wednesday's six-goal thriller.
"No, no - of course I didn't mean to do it," the 29-year-old told reporters over the first straight red card of his career in 462 appearances for Bayern Munich in the thrilling 3-3 draw as both teams progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League.
He said he went to the Dutch hosts' changing room to apologise to Tagliafico after the match, but the defender, who scored the home side's 95th-minute equaliser, had already left.
Instead, he wrote "@tagliafico3 - I am very sorry for that what happened yesterday! Was not intentionally (sic). Get well soon" on his Instagram account.
Muller was sent off 15 minutes from time after trying to control the ball with his outstretched boot, but he succeeded only in kicking the head of the Argentinian.
Both his teammates and coach admitted that the foul warranted a straight red card.
"Thomas didn't see him," said Bayern coach Niko Kovac, "but it was a clear red - he should have been aware of the opponent."
Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka, who had witnessed Muller's head-high tackle on Tagliafico at close quarters, said: "I saw the scene as it happened. You only have to see how the lad looked afterwards - it wasn't good. As I saw it, it was a clear red card."
Goretzka himself was the victim of a dangerous lunge by Ajax's Maximilian Woeber, who was sent off.
It was a bitter end to the night for Muller, who made his 105th Champions League appearance, putting him level with former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, who skippered Germany to the 2014 World Cup.
Muller will be banned for the first leg of Bayern's last-16 tie in the new year with the draw to be made in Nyon on Monday.
The Bavarians claimed the point they needed to finish as Group E winners, with an action-packed second half which saw five goals, two penalties and the pair of red cards as Ajax also went through to the knockout phase as runners-up.
Robert Lewandowski (two) and Kingsley Coman scored for Bayern, while Dusan Tadicć(two) and Tagliafico netted for the home side.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Arsenal manager Unai Emery was fined 8,000 pounds ($10,200) on Monday but avoided a touchline ban for kicking a plastic bottle at a Brighton and Hove Albion supporter, the English Football Association (FA) said.
Arsenal's Emery fined for kicking bottle at Brighton fan
Relatives raise funds to continue search for missing footballer Emiliano Sala Tributes left outside Cardiff City Stadium for Emiliano Sala, whose plane disappeared from the radar over the English
Emiliano Sala: missing pilot's family raise funds for search
Chelsea face stadium closure as UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings over alleged racist chants is punished with a minimum of a partial stadium closure."
Chelsea facing partial Stamford Bridge closure over racist
Raheem Sterling was recognised for his fight against racism in the sport and for using his platform to call for more action to be taken. England's Sterling honoured with award for fighting
Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism - Reuters
However the football event of the tournament was only participated by two other teams, Thailand and Singapore with the Philippines not winning a single match. 2000s. Marlon Maro coached the women's national football team as early as 2001 when he guided the national team through the 2001 Southeast Asian Games.
World Cup 2018 Draw - Results and Predictions - We Global
Aguero inches Man City closer to title. Victories at home to Leicester a week on Monday, and away at Brighton the following Sunday will see Pep Guardiola's side retain their English title Jun 06
Aguero inches Man City closer to title - Daily Monitor
Football: Newport County keeper Joe Day cuts short FA Cup celebrations to see pregnant wife . found out on the final whistle that his pregnant wife had gone into labour.
Joe Day makes sharp exit after Newport County FA Cup win to
Fifa study to decide fate of 48-team World Cup, Football News
Laurent Blanc singled out Angel Di Maria for praise after Paris Saint-Germain pushed Real Madrid all the way in Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat. PSG were the better side prior to Nacho's
Paris Sg News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Roster - soccer - MSN
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says "we are still in a dream, a bubble" after his side's stunning 4-4 away-goals win at Manchester City to reach the last four of the Champions League.
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham 'still in a dream' after
Thomas Muller angered by Germany exclusion and vows to win back place in Joachim Low's plans "Shortly after we were told of the decision, pre-prepared statements from the DFB were delivered to the
Thomas Muller 'angry' after announcement that he'll no longer
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Maurizio Sarri Thursday, 6 June 2019 ( 2 days ago ) Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri gave the strongest hint yet that he wishes to return to Italy and probably take the Juventus job by saying he misses his friends and elderly parents.
Ronaldo and Silva shine as Portugal dominate best Nations League XI Monday, Jun 10 2019 12:28 Transfer roundup (09/06/19) - Wan-Bissaka, Bale and Umtiti amid reports
Ronaldo gets the gold with Silva lining - finance.yahoo.com
Young Lions stay in hunt for finals. Singapore's Ikhsan Fandi (in blue), seen here in an earlier match against Hong Kong, scored a superb solo goal within a minute of kick-off against North Korea
Latest SINGAPORE FOOTBALL | The Straits Times
0 comments:
Post a Comment