The Champions League mistake by Bayern’s Manuel Neuer is described as “brutal and bitter”

Following Bayern Munich‘s Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, aged 38, lamented his late-game mistake as “extremely bitter.” Neuer’s error proved decisive as Bayern surrendered a late lead to lose 2-1 and 4-3 on aggregate, denying them a chance to face rivals Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley.

The pivotal moment came in the dying minutes of the match when, with Bayern leading 1-0, Neuer failed to cleanly handle a routine shot from Vinicius Junior. The spilled ball fell into the path of Joselu, who capitalized on the opportunity to level the scores. Real Madrid ultimately secured victory with another goal shortly after, booking their place in the final.

Reflecting on the critical blunder, Neuer acknowledged the unexpected trajectory of the ball, which made it challenging to control. He expressed disappointment over the turn of events, particularly given his impressive performance throughout the match, characterized by a series of acrobatic saves.

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Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel echoed Neuer’s sentiments, describing the error as uncharacteristic for the seasoned goalkeeper. Despite the mistake, Tuchel emphasized Neuer’s exceptional track record and contributions to the team.

Defender Matthijs de Ligt, whose late goal was controversially disallowed for offside, empathized with Neuer, attributing the mishap to sheer bad luck. De Ligt praised Neuer’s stellar saves throughout the game, highlighting the unpredictability of football.

Neuer, who made a comeback this season after a lengthy absence due to a broken leg, had been showcasing his top form. As the odds-on favorite to start for Germany at the upcoming Euros, Neuer’s focus now shifts to international duty, with the tournament set to commence in June.

The defeat marks a disappointing end to Bayern’s season, marking the first time since 2012 that they will finish trophyless. Despite the setback, Neuer’s resilience and experience position him as a key figure for both club and country moving forward.