Intentional or coincidence? Bayern stars in trouble after yellow card suspensions | OneFootball

FC Bayern made a clear statement in the last 16 of the Champions League witha 6-1 victory at Atalanta Bergamo. While the dominant performance of the Munich team was celebrated after the game, another scene caused discussion: the yellow cards for Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise

Both Bayern stars were cautioned in Bergamo and are therefore suspended for the second leg at the Allianz Arena on 18 March. Should the record champions progress to the quarter-finals as expected, both players would be eligible to play again without a yellow card

Joshua Kimmich’s caution in particular raises questions. After the game, the 31-year-old commented on the scene and tried to explain his action. „Well, it was unnecessary in itself. I was looking for a suitable passing option. You don’t want to play into the pressing,“ explained the Bayern star after the game on the Amazon Prime Video microphone

Kimmich described the situation in great detail: „The opponent then left Tom (Bischof, editor’s note) a little free. I had the feeling they were just leaving him free to press.“

The midfielder finally tried to clear the ball, but was too late. „I was just about to play the ball out. I was too late, which was annoying,“ said Kimmich

„I think we all know what happened“



Amazon Prime expert Mats Hummels listened to the interview live – and interpreted the situation in his own way. „I think we all know what happened,“ explained the former international with a wink

Hummels suspects that Kimmich may have deliberately picked up a yellow card, while praising the Bayern professional’s explanation: „I think it was wonderful how he explained it.“

The 2014 world champion was also alluding to possible consequences should UEFA recognize a deliberate caution

Sporting director Max Eberl did not want to know anything about this after the game and emphasized that Kimmich received the yellow card for a timeout, which is quite normal in such results and games

UEFA cracks down on intent

A prominent example of this is Sergio Ramos. The former Real Madrid captain was banned for two matches by UEFA in 2019 after apparently deliberately picking up a yellow card in the Champions League round of 16

It remains to be seen whether a similar suspicion will arise in Kimmich’s case

In addition to Kimmich and Olise, Dayot Upamecano was also on the yellow card list before the game, and a further caution would have meant a ban for the central defender in the second leg

However, the French international got off without a yellow card in Bergamo and can therefore play in the second clash against Atalanta without restriction

One thing is clear: despite the suspensions for Kimmich and Olise, Munich go into the second leg in a comfortable position after their clear 6:1 away win. Nevertheless, the discussion about the yellow cards is likely to continue.