It was a weekend to forget for a number of European sides who suffered shocking losses. In England, the news of the day was Sunday’s 6-1 home drubbing of Manchester United by city rivals Manchester City.
Across the continent, things were not too good for Bayern Munich, Lyon, Chelsea, Barcelona and Juventus. In Germany, Bayern Munich suffered their first defeat in more than 2 months when Hanover stunned them 2-1 at home.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes however, was angered by the referees decision to hand Hanover a penalty claiming that Hanover midfielder Sergio Pinto dived. With a penalty converted and playing with only 10 men, it was bound to be a tough mountain to climb for the Bavarians.
Speaking after the match, Bayern Coach called Pinto and actor and said that the midfielder should not be allowed to be on the football field.
“I think it is a shame, just like that player has been acting for years,” Heynckes to Goal.com. “He messed up the entire game through his acting.
“This was not a foul, the referee did not give a foul, and he [Pinto] rolled over four times. I wonder if he can sleep at night.
The damage was already done and not even Hoeness calling Pinto a rabbit can change the result.
“Because of this scene, there was a red card. [Christian] Schulz, who himself was guilty of a push, gets a yellow, and thus the game was turned on its head. And he [Pinto] acted as though he was seriously injured.
“Two minutes later, he runs like a rabbit on the field. This is a disgrace, and it is not for the first time. Sergio Pinto is an actor who belongs in Los Angeles for the Oscars, and not on the football field.”
Despite the loss, Bayern still lead the Bundesliga table with 22 points although their lead has been to just 3 points. Borussia Dortmund are in second place. In France, Oylmpique Lyon were once again on the receiving end as they lost 3-1 to Lille.
Lyon were humiliated 4-0 during their midweek Champions league fixture away to Real Madrid and a win yesterday against Lille would have propelled them up to second place in the French Ligue 1 standings.
Both Juventus and Barcelona drew to see their leads at the top of their respective tables topp;led. Juventus drew 2-2 at home to Chievo Verona while Barcelona settled for a barren draw against Sevilla on Saturday.
Photo credit © cvrcak1
