Muller apologises for ‘kung-fu kick’ on opponent’s head
I saw the challenge. You only had to see how the lad looked afterwards – it wasn’t good. As I saw it, it was a clear red card LEON GORETZKA Bayern Munich midfielder
Thomas Muller has apologised for his kung fu-style kick to the head of Ajax defender Nicholas Tagliafico, which resulted in a red card for the Germany in Wednesday’s sixgoal thriller in Amsterdam in the Uefa Champions League.
“No, no – of course I didn’t mean to do it,” the 29-yearold said following the first straight red card of his career in 462 appearances for Bayern, during the 3-3 draw as both teams progressed to the last 16 of the competition.
Muller said he went to the 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 the stadium by that point. Instead, Mueller said on his Instagram account that he was “very sorry” to Tagliafico, adding that the challenge was “not intentional”.
Muller was sent off 15 minutes from time after trying to control the ball with his out-stretched boot, but succeeded only in kicking Tagliafico in the head in a bad-tempered game.
Both Muller’s teammates and manager said the foul warranted a straight red card and the right decision was made.
“Thomas didn’t see him,” said Bayern manager Niko Kovac, “but it was a clear red – he should have been aware of the opponent.”
Earlier in the fixture, Ajax had Maximilian Woeber sent off for a foul on Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka, who witnessed Muller’s headhigh tackle on Tagliafico at close quarters.
“I saw the scene as it happened. You only have to see how the lad looked afterwards – it wasn’t good,” said Goretzka. “As I saw it, it was a clear red card.”
It was a bitter end to the night for Mueller, who made his 105th Champions League appearance, putting him level with ex-Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.
The Bavarians claimed the point they needed to finish as Group E winners in an action-packed second-half which saw five goals, two penalties and a pair of red cards with Ajax also through to the last 16 as runners-up.
Muller will be banned for the first leg of Bayern’s last 16 tie in February, with the draw taking place on Monday. The German side have not won the competition since 2013.
Meanwhile, Kovac insisted on Wednesday that Kingsley Coman’s late goal in the draw has put paid to talk of the 22-year-old’s early retirement.
The French winger came off the bench to put Bayern 3-2 up on 90 minutes before Tagliafico equalised.
In the build-up to the match, Coman implied another ankle injury could force him into early retirement after he twice tore ligaments in his left ankle this year, requiring surgery in February, then again in August.
His goal in Amsterdam was Coman’s first since the backto-back injuries on only his third appearance back.
“King has put a bad injury behind him. The goal answered that talk of retirement. I don’t think that’ll be happening any time soon,” said Kovac.
Bayern’s league form has been mixed this season and they are nine points off leaders Borussia Dortmund in third spot after 14 games.
But Kovac was encouraged by what he saw against Ajax and hopes they can take that into Saturday’s game at Hannover.
“We had the better chances, the clearer chances,” he said. “We should have shut the game out, but Ajax were also very good.
“We were part of an amazing football game. Both teams played at a high level and played with a pressing style.
“The most important thing was to finish top of the group and with 14 from 18 points, we are happy.”