"In the last few years it is a meeting that has nudged Der Klassiker gently aside in terms of excellence and what it has meant. Like so many historical domestic faceoffs with Bayern and AN Other it is likely transient but even if Saturday's latest edition may not have had quite the direct rivalry that recent meetings have, many of the feelings of intensity and adrenaline were still there."
"From Bayern, it was on the subject of the officiating after finishing with nine men. There could be no argument with Nicolas Jackson's first-half red card, even if it took a VAR check to upgrade it, for a crunching studs-up challenge on Martin Terrier. When Uli Hoeness later exploded in calling referee Christian Dingert and his assistants' performance the worst by a refereeing team I have ever witnessed in a Bundesliga match."
"Close calls went against the champions, certainly, but there was little argument against the disallowing of potential goals by the returning (to his old club) Jonathan Tah and (from injury) Harry Kane, both for handball. Diaz's dismissal was far harsher, however."
Xabi Alonso's influence persists at Bayer Leverkusen despite his departure, evident in the club's competitive standing against Bayern Munich. Their rivalry has recently eclipsed the traditional Der Klassiker matchup in significance. The latest encounter between the two clubs maintained intensity despite differing competitive trajectories. Bayern finished with nine men after Nicolas Jackson received a red card for a studs-up challenge, later upgraded via VAR. Luis Diaz received a second yellow for simulation, which Bayern disputed. Both teams had goals disallowed for handball involving Jonathan Tah and Harry Kane. Bayern's frustration centered on perceived refereeing inconsistencies, with Uli Hoeness criticizing the officiating as the worst he had witnessed in Bundesliga competition.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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