Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanisic has admitted that pushing a ballboy during their Champions League exit at Inter Milan was a “bit stupid” after the incident in stoppage time. The moment occurred when Bayern, chasing a goal to force extra time, were denied the ball by the ballboy, who threw it away from the defender. In an outburst of frustration, Stanisic pushed the ballboy off his stool, an act that sparked outrage among the Inter bench. However, the referee did not issue any punishment for the incident.
Bayern’s 2-2 draw in the second leg at San Siro meant that Inter advanced to the semi-finals with a 4-3 aggregate victory. It was a dramatic conclusion to a match that saw both teams battle fiercely for control. Stanisic, reflecting on the incident, acknowledged that his reaction was inappropriate, telling a German newspaper that it was a moment of frustration and that his action was “a bit stupid.”
In the context of the match, Bayern’s task had been made even harder by a series of key injuries that left them without several important players. The club was already struggling with a depleted squad, and the absence of players like Hiroki Ito, Dayot Upamecano, Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, Kingsley Coman, and Aleksandar Pavlovic made their Champions League campaign even more challenging. Despite this, Bayern pushed hard throughout both legs of the tie, showing resilience and determination.
Bayern’s coach, Vincent Kompany, spoke about the impact of the injuries, explaining that the team had to adapt to the absence of so many crucial players. Despite these challenges, Kompany remained optimistic about his team’s performance in the competition. “The harsh reality is that we will not play the Champions League final at home,” he said. “We can’t change that. The other aspect is the performance; we know we have done enough to win these games.”
Kompany’s assessment underscored the fact that, despite missing key players, Bayern had still managed to compete at a high level. Their performance in both legs showed their ability to fight even when the odds were stacked against them. While the team’s exit from the competition was a bitter disappointment, there was a sense that they had given all they could, and their efforts deserved recognition.
Inter’s progression to the semi-finals, meanwhile, marked a significant achievement. The club, coached by Simone Inzaghi, now has the opportunity to go deeper into the competition, with their eyes set on repeating the treble they achieved in 2010. That year, Inter triumphed over Bayern to lift the Champions League, and Inzaghi is now seeking to replicate José Mourinho’s success. “It’s a beautiful evening, lived in our stadium, in front of our fans against a very strong team,” Inzaghi said, reflecting on the pride of the victory.
For Bayern, the focus now shifts to regrouping and preparing for the rest of the season, while Inter will look to build on their momentum as they push for European glory once again. Despite the disappointment of missing out on a potential final at their own Allianz Arena, Bayern’s performance in the tournament will be remembered for its resilience, even in the face of adversity.
