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Bayern Munich’s Champions League dreams came to a dramatic end on Wednesday night, overshadowed by a tense moment involving defender Josip Stanisic, who was caught on camera shoving a ball boy during stoppage time in their 2-2 draw with Inter Milan at San Siro.
With the aggregate score tilted 4-3 in Inter’s favor and time running out, frustration boiled over as Stanisic attempted to retrieve the ball quickly from the sidelines. The ball boy, seemingly trying to slow play down, tossed the ball away — prompting an angry reaction from the Croatian international, who pushed the youngster off his stool.
The incident sparked a furious reaction from the Inter Milan bench, with several staff members confronting Stanisic, though the situation didn’t escalate further and the Bayern defender escaped any disciplinary action on the pitch.
Speaking after the match, Stanisic expressed regret over the moment, telling German outlet Abendzeitung, “Every team in the world wastes time when they’re leading. It was a bit stupid of me to push him there.”
The controversial moment added fuel to an already bitter night for Bayern, who were eliminated from the tournament despite a spirited second-leg performance. Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard in quick succession helped Inter reclaim control after Harry Kane had opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Eric Dier pulled one back for the visitors late on, but the German champions couldn’t find the decisive goal they needed.
With Arsenal, Inter, PSG, and Barcelona left standing, the Champions League is heating up — but for Bayern and Josip Stanisic, it’s a night to forget.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / Dimitris Vetsikas, Instagram / @fcbayern
