Bayern Munich releases strong statement about what happened to Manuel Neuer in the Schalke draw
Bayern Munich’s sporting director Max Eberl spoke out strongly after Manuel Neuer faced abuse from the Schalke home crowd during their 0-0 draw. Despite Bayern having 15 shots and 83% possession, they couldn’t find the net at the Veltins-Arena.
Bayern started the game without Harry Kane, who was first on the bench and then came on at half-time, replacing left-back Nathaniel Brown. But his arrival, along with Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala coming on early in the second half, didn’t change the scoreline.
Neuer had a special night as he continues to be Bayern’s number one goalkeeper after signing a new one-year deal. The 40-year-old joined Bayern from Schalke in 2011, having spent his whole career at Schalke before that. He grew up in their youth academy after joining as a five-year-old.
The transfer was controversial back then because Schalke were doing well in the Bundesliga and had qualified for the Europa League by winning the DFB-Pokal. They even finished in Champions League spots the following season.
In recent years, the teams haven’t met much since Schalke spent four of the last five seasons in the second division. But after winning the second-tier title last season, Schalke returned to the top flight and made sure Neuer felt their lingering frustration.
Every time Neuer touched the ball, Schalke fans booed and whistled, even singing some offensive chants. But these didn’t seem to bother him at all. After the game, Neuer responded with a smile. “These are compliments,” he said. “This is love – that’s how I see it. It was great to come back. I spent 20 years here, learned everything here, and my family still lives here. I really enjoyed it.”
However, Max Eberl had a different message for the crowd. “95% of Schalke fans, hats off to them for their support,” he said. “But the rest should be proud that this great player came from their youth academy, became world-class, and a world champion. Using such rude language is not acceptable. It’s fine to boo because you’re against Bayern, but no need for those words.”
Some in the German media were surprised by the strong reaction towards Neuer, but his long history with Schalke explains why some fans are still upset. Neuer even watched Schalke games from the North Stand, where the club’s ultras sit, before joining the first team.
Also, German paper BILD reported there was a clash between Bayern’s ultras and Schalke fans in a parking lot before the match started.