Neuer ‘extremely bitter’ about howler

– Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (right) said his late Champions League semifinal howler against Real Madrid was “extremely bitter” as his side were knocked out of the tournament.

With just two minutes remaining, Bayern were leading 1-0 thanks to a 68th-minute strike from Alphonso Davies – the Canadian’s first Champions League goal – and seemingly on course to meet rivals Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley.

However, Vinicius Junior then sent in a simple-looking shot from outside the box and Neuer, who had impressed with a series of acrobatic saves all evening, spilled the ball into the path of Joselu, who levelled the scores.

Joselu scored again four minutes later as Real took the lead in the tie to win 2-1 and 4-3 on aggregate, booking their ticket to face Dortmund in the final next month.

“It’s extremely bitter for me,” the 38-year-old Neuer told DAZN.

“I expected the ball to land a bit differently to my chest but it went a bit higher and it was difficult to get a hold of it. And then Joselu was there quicker and it was difficult to defend.

“For a goalkeeper who’s been around for a while it’s something I’ve already experienced, but the goal was brutal.”

Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel said his captain’s mistake was uncharacteristic.

“Manu did incredibly well but then made a mistake he wouldn’t have made for 100 years,” said the Bayern mentor.

“It’s frustrating. If there’s anyone who didn’t deserve that, it’s Manu. We know who he is, what he’s achieved.”

Defender Matthijs de Ligt, who had a late goal controversially chalked off for an offside in the lead-up, said Neuer was “unlucky.”

Neuer had “world class saves after world class saves” De Ligt said, explaining “but that can happen, it’s football.” –