Neuer sent off for 1st time as Leverkusen eliminate Bayern from DFB-Pokal
MUNICH (AP) — Manuel Neuer was sent off and Bayern Munich crashed out of the German Cup in the third round with a 1-0 loss at home to defending champion Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Neuer was never before sent off in 124 games for Germany or 740 club games, but the Bayern captain was shown a straight red card in the 17th minute for taking out Jeremie Frimpong with a body check when the Dutch winger was almost through on goal after a long pass from Jonathan Tah. Bayern's players protested but there had been no attempt from Neuer to play the ball.
Leverkusen needed patience to take advantage. Substitute Nathan Tella scored in the 69th, eight minutes after replacing the injured Patrik Schick, with a header to Alex Grimaldo's perfectly positioned cross.
Bayern was knocked out in the second round last season.
Bayern was without Harry Kane, who went off early in the Bundesliga draw with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday with a right hamstring injury. Bayern said Sunday it was a minor muscle fiber tear and that the striker will be out "for the time being."
Werder Bremen defeated second-division side Darmstadt 1-0.
Earlier, Freiburg was knocked out in a 3-1 loss at third-division team Arminia Bielefeld, and Stuttgart won 3-0 at Jahn Regensburg.