Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has issued a furious statement condemning the “unacceptable” abuse directed at goalkeeper Manuel Neuer by Schalke fans during Saturday evening’s 0-0 draw at the Veltins-Arena.
Neuer, 40, who recently signed a new one-year contract with Bayern, was subjected to relentless booing, whistling, and X-rated chants from the home crowd every time he touched the ball. The animosity stems from his controversial transfer from Schalke to Bayern in 2011.
Eberl did not mince words when addressing the behaviour. “Schalke fans, 95 per cent, chapeau for what they have done,” Eberl stated, as reported by Bundesliga Insider. “The other… they should be proud that they produced such a great guy in their youth academy, who then made the breakthrough into world football, became the best goalkeeper in the world and a world champion. Then such expletives are not acceptable. You can boo because you are against Bayern, but there is no need for those expressions.”
Neuer, who joined Schalke at age five and spent his entire career there before his 2011 move, offered a more philosophical take on the reception. “These are compliments. This is love – that is how I put it,” he commented post-match. “It was nice to come back. I spent 20 years here, and I learned everything here. My family lives here. I really enjoyed it.”
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A history of animosity
The ill-feeling surrounding Neuer’s departure has lingered for over a decade. At the time of his transfer, Schalke was an established Bundesliga side, having won the DFB-Pokal and secured Europa League qualification for the 2011/12 season. Neuer himself was a fan favourite, having watched matches from the North Stand with the club’s ultras before breaking into the first team.
The two clubs have not faced each other frequently in recent years, with Schalke spending four of the past five seasons in the 2. Bundesliga, though they won the title last season. This infrequent contact has seemingly done little to diminish the deep-seated resentment among a segment of the fanbase.
Match details and pre-game tension
The goalless draw saw Bayern Munich dominate possession with 83 per cent and register 15 shots on goal, but they failed to break the deadlock. Manager Thomas Tuchel introduced Harry Kane at half-time for left-back Nathaniel Brown, while Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala were brought on early in the second half in an attempt to find a winning goal.
The tension surrounding the fixture extended beyond the pitch, with BILD reporting a clash between Bayern’s ultras and Schalke fans in a parking lot before the match, further highlighting the heated nature of this rivalry.
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