Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer received the first red card of his 866-game career during a German Cup Round of 16 clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, December 3.
The shocking moment came just 18 minutes into the match when the 38-year-old, celebrated for his sweeper-keeper prowess, raced out of his penalty area and brought down Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, who was through on goal. Referee Harm Osmers had no hesitation in showing Neuer a straight red card, forcing Bayern to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
The dismissal paved the way for Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz to make his competitive debut for Bayern. The 23-year-old, signed in the summer of 2023, replaced winger Serge Gnabry as Bayern reshuffled their lineup. Neuer, visibly frustrated, was seen apologizing to coach Vincent Kompany as he exited the field.
Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, analyzing the match for ARD, deemed the red card “unquestionable.” He remarked, “Manuel has an incredible ability to read the game, but in this instance, he should have held back.”
Neuer’s sending-off was a rare blemish on an otherwise glittering career, including a 2014 World Cup win and multiple domestic and international titles with Bayern. Despite accumulating 23 yellow cards at the club level, this marked his first-ever dismissal.
The match, featuring the 20-time German Cup champions Bayern against current holders Leverkusen, was a fiery affair. Three yellow cards were handed out in the opening 22 minutes, underlining the high stakes of the encounter.
While Neuer’s red card was the headline moment, Peretz’s debut under intense pressure highlighted Bayern’s depth in the goalkeeping department, giving fans a glimpse of the team’s future beyond its veteran shot-stopper.
