Updated 11/27/2025 – 8:50 a.mReading time: 1 min.
FC Bayern suffered their first defeat of the season against Arsenal. Manuel Neuer has done his part – and is criticized.
Neuer looked unhappy when he conceded the first goal in the 22nd minute. After a corner from the left, Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber took the lead. Ballack rated the scene on ZDF as normal: “For me, it’s not enough for a foul, a normal duel, not worthy of punishment.” He said to Neuer: “He wants to block the player himself, gets out of rhythm and loses his timing.”
Neuer was also involved in the third goal conceded. In the 77th minute, the goalkeeper ran out of the box – too hastily, as Ballack thinks: “That wasn’t necessary. Manuel made the wrong decision. If he goes for the ball, he has to have it, he knows that himself. He decided to take the risk – and will be punished.”
Ballack made it clear that Neuer is basically a goalkeeper “who plays along”, but emphasized: “In many phases it works well and he saves the team. Here it backfired.”