Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer pointed the finger at Gianluigi Donnarumma after Jamal Musiala sustained a horror injury at the Club World Cup. Musiala was stretchered off during Bayern’s 2-0 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter finals in Atlanta after colliding with Donnarumma.
The Bayern star was taken to hospital with a serious injury picked up late in the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Chasing an overhit pass from Michael Olise, he tried to get around William Pacho, only for Donnarumma to dive onto the ball, accidentally trapping Musiala’s leg between his body and the turf.
The seriousness of the situation was immediately evident, with the Germany international in agony and all the players distraught. Donnarumma dropped to his knees holding his face and was in tears when he realised the extent of the injury, which reports suggest is a fractured tibia and fibula, meaning potentially five months out.
Bayern veteran Neuer was still emotional after the match and criticised his opposite number in an interview with Sky Sports Germany. “It was a situation where you don't have to go in like that,” he said. “That's risk-taking. He was prepared to accept the risk of injuring his opponent.”
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal 'agree' Madueke deal, Man Utd eye shock move, Son's Spurs decision
READ MORE: Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe shows true colours with Diogo Jota gesture at Club World Cup
Neuer then alleged that Donnarumma only checked in on Musiala after being prompted. He said: “I went to him and said, ‘Don't you want to go and see our player?’ It's a matter of respect, of going there and wishing the guy all the best. He then did it. Fair play is always a part of it. I would have reacted differently.”
Donnarumma took to Instagram after the game, writing: “All my prayers and well wishes are with you @jamalmusiala10.” PSG won the game thanks to goals from Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, but their post-match thoughts were all with Musiala.
"It's important we talk about Musiala," said PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi. "I want to give my support to him. We hope to see him back on the pitch soon." Dembele added: "Shout out to Jamal Musiala. [The injury] is something you don't want to see on the field."
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany told DAZN: "He has had to go to hospital. It didn't look good. The overwhelming feeling is hopefully it's not as bad as it looks and he gets through this one."
Kompany later added: "I've rarely been so angry at half-time, not against my players. There are many things in life that are much more important than this, but in the end, for these guys, it's their life. He came back from a setback, and then it happens in the way it happens and you feel powerless.
"You try and get strength out of it because you want to do it for Jamal. The thing that gets my blood still boiling at the moment, it's not the result. I understand this is football, but it's the fact that it happened to someone that, for one, enjoys the game so much, but also is very important for us."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
