Angry Thomas Muller slams Bayern team-mates for response to German Cup upset

02 November 2023 , 09:04

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Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller (Image: Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images)

Thomas Muller has hit out at his Bayern Munich team-mates for their 'unacceptable' response to a shock 2-1 defeat against third-tier side FC Saarbrucken in the German Cup on Wednesday.

A strong Bayern side that saw the likes of Muller, Leroy Sane, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, Mathijs de Ligt and Manuel Neuer all start were knocked out of the cup by Saarbrucken, thanks to an equaliser from Patrick Sontheimer and a late injury time winner from Marcel Gaus.

After the embarrassing loss Muller, who scored Bayern's only goal of the game, was one of very few players to go over and talk to the travelling supporters. Sane, Kimmich, Mathys Tel and Bouna Sarr were also seen speaking with the fans and Muller accused those who did not go over of showing 'disrespect'.

"As is so often the case, the fans care more about just the result and the game," he told Sky Sports Germany after the loss. "In football you can lose a game. I have to agree with the fans.

"What's not acceptable at all is that only three or four players end up understanding how to respect the supporters. The guys were here, travelled to the away game and supported us. The least you can do is to give something back.

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"And it's not about applauding 100 times and singing any songs, it's about showing respect. We also discussed this once in the dressing room. We will show a different face in the future. Of course it's unacceptable."

Reflecting on the loss, Muller gave credit to the 'fight' Saarbrucken showed and admitted Bayern 'should have done better in many situations'. He said: "You can find many reasons [for the defeat].

Muller spoke to angry Bayern fans after they were knocked out of the German Cup by Saarbrucken (Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images)

"You have to congratulate Saarbrucken for the fight they put up. We simply weren't clever, particularly for the first goal we conceded. Then we concede the second goal in added time.

"Prior to that, we had several chances, we were completely on top and showed plenty of drive towards the opposition goal. We're playing again on Saturday. There's not much to think about now, even if it's a brutal blow for us. This is not at all what we aspire to."

Manager Thomas Tuchel added: "We were handed a very bitter pill to swallow with the last move of the match. There are 100 explanations, or possibly none. It feels strange. We created enough chances and half-chances. It's really bitter."

Matthew Cooper