Bayern Munich have confirmed the club will be without Thomas Muller for both legs of their Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool.
The German was shown a straight red card in Bayern’s final group stage match against Ajax for a high tackle which saw him kick the head of Nicolas Tagliafico.
Why has Muller been banned? Four key things to know…
- Thomas Muller received a straight red card during Bayern’s 3-3 group stage draw with Ajax for a high challenge on Nicolas Tagliafico.
- The German was banned for two matches, but Bayern appealed to Uefa hoping to see the suspension drop to one.
- However, the club have now confirmed the decision has been upheld, meaning Muller will miss both legs against Liverpool.
- Liverpool will also be without Virgil van Dijk in the first leg due to a suspension, with the centre-back having received three yellow cards in the group stage.
The mandatory ban for a red card stands at one match but Uefa deemed the incident to be a serious offence, extending the suspension to two matches at a hearing on January 10.
Bayern then appealed the decision, hoping to see it reduced back to one, though not many harboured hope of winning the appeal.
And the club have now confirmed Muller’s suspension remains at two, ruling him out of both games against Liverpool.
“Now it’s official: FC Bayern will be without Thomas Müller in both legs of the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool FC,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
“The German record champions’ appeal against the 29-year-old attacking midfielder’s two-match suspension was rejected by the European Football Union’s (UEFA) Appeals Senate on Monday.
“Following a foul on Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico, Müller had been sent off by French referee Clément Turpin in the 75th minute in the final game of the group stage, a 3-3 draw at Ajax.”
The first leg between the pair takes place at Anfield on February 19, with the return fixture on March 13.
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Good news or bad news for Liverpool?
When the official decision was made on Muller’s ban, jokes were circling on whether it was actually good or bad news for Liverpool.
#UCL #FCBFCL https://t.co/Y2gUWFfuie
— Thomas Müller (@esmuellert_) February 4, 2019
The German, normally so reliable for club and country, has not had the best season, struggling to replicate his previous form.
In 19 Bundesliga appearances this season, Muller has been directly involved in just nine goals with four of his own in addition to five assists. These have come at an average of 0.2 and 0.3 per 90 minutes respectively.
By comparison, the German managed eight league goals and 12 assists last season at an average of 0.4 and 0.6 per 90 respectively.
Host Jake Entwistle is joined by Sam Long and Will Hall for this week’s Squawka Talker to discuss Man City 3-1 Arsenal, the Bundesliga title race, Gonzalo Higuain’s start to life at Chelsea, the best of the rest beyond the ‘Big Six’ and the upcoming El Clasico.
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