Bayer 04 Leverkusen didn’t let themselves be stopped in Cologne either – but they also benefited from an early sending off. Granit Xhaka was the one who was fouled, but then complained about something completely different.
Serious kick: Jan Thielmann (#29) hits Granit Xhaka above the Achilles tendon. IMAGO/Nordphoto
“A derby is always special,” said Granit Xhaka about the 2-0 win in Cologne DAZN and emphasized that you have to win such a game – no matter how. Because Bayer 04 Leverkusen did that in the end and scored three important points, it didn’t matter that much that the factory club hadn’t outplayed Cologne.
But that wasn’t possible anyway, as Xhaka noted. “Unfortunately, it was very difficult to play football on the pitch,” said the 31-year-old, complaining bitterly about the poor pitch conditions. “I’m sorry to say this, but on pitches like this you can’t play five passes in a row without the ball bouncing.”
Schultz complains: “That’s how it is these days”
And coach Xabi Alonso also noted that “the pitch wasn’t that good” and was “very happy with the result”. The early dismissal of Jan Thielmann for a foul on Xhaka also played into his team’s hands (14th).
That’s not in the spirit of sport.
Timo Schultz on Jan Thielmann’s red card
“Jan is the unluckiest person himself,” said Cologne coach Timo Schultz, emphasizing that Thielmann acted without any malicious intent, but that Xhaka still hit “above the ankle.” According to the 46-year-old, the expulsion was “not in the spirit of sport”, but in the end it was completely in accordance with the rules. “I think the referee doesn’t want to give anything at first. He then gives a red because of the call from the basement – that’s how it is these days,” explained Schultz. “I don’t want to complain. You can give it.”
Xhaka: “I didn’t complain at all at the beginning”
However, Xhaka had no pity. “A few seconds earlier he comes from behind and hits me above the Achilles tendon. He doesn’t have to go in there at all,” emphasized the Swiss. “He has to know why he goes in like that.” In the end, Thielmann had “himself to blame” and damaged his team.
Xhaka assured that he did not explicitly demand the red card from Tobias Stieler: “I didn’t complain at all at the beginning.” Only when the referee “got a signal” to look at the scene again “did I show him where he hit me.” Xhaka’s conclusion: “The decision was correct.”
2024-03-03 18:32:33
#fault #Xhaka #pity #Thielmann
