The catch-up match between FC Bayern and Union Berlin was marred by a scandal involving Nenad Bjelica, who grabbed Leroy Sané in the face.

In sporting terms, the game between FC Bayern and Union Berlin was lean fare in the second half – but one scene caused a stir: visiting coach Nenand Bjelica clashed with Bayern star Leroy Sané and grabbed him twice in the face.

After the match, which Union Berlin lost 1:0 in Munich, the Croatian was self-critical. However, he also criticized Sané and his behaviour. “I want to get the ball and give it to Sané,” said Bjelica, explaining the scene himself. “He pushed me in my zone.” This scene was the trigger for the reaction. He was also upset because Union Berlin had not been awarded a penalty when Bayern’s Konrad Laimer cleared Kevin Behrens in the penalty area.

Nevertheless, Bjelica recognized: “That’s not okay, what I did is intolerable. I understand the red card.” The scuffle turned into a scuffle in front of the 1. FC Union Berlin bench, as players and club staff tried to separate the two hot-tempered players. They succeeded.

After the game, Bjelica apologized to his team, as he will definitely be missing next Sunday’s important clash against Darmstadt 98. “I have to apologize to my team. But not to Sané, who comes into my room to provoke me,” he said in the direction of the German international. His player Kevin Vogt supported the Croatian. “That was well provoked,” said Vogt on Sky.

FC Bayern narrowly won the catch-up game 1:0, but no-one at the record champions was celebrating after this agonizing victory. Three days after the Bremen shock, Munich only managed a meagre response on Wednesday. The stars around goalscorer Raphael Guerreiro breathed a sigh of relief after a heated final phase with a red card for visiting coach Nenad Bjelica