Lothar Matthaus has strongly criticized Vincent Kompany for what he described as the “humiliation” of Thomas Muller during Bayern Munich’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Celtic in the Champions League.
Bayern appeared to be heading toward extra time after Nicolas Kuhn’s second-half goal put Celtic ahead at the Allianz Arena, leveling the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
However, Alphonso Davies delivered a last-gasp equalizer in the third minute of injury time, securing Bayern’s place in the knockout stage.
Shortly after Davies’ crucial goal, Kompany made a surprising decision substituting Muller on for Jamal Musiala. The problem? The 35-year-old Bayern legend was on the pitch for just 24 seconds before the referee blew for full-time.
Matthaus, a former Bayern captain and club icon, was left stunned by the move. “I was shocked by Kompany’s decision,” he said. “Muller is not a player you bring on just to waste time. That was humiliating for someone of his stature.”
The substitution sparked widespread debate, with many questioning why Kompany would use a club legend in such a manner.
Muller, who has spent his entire career at Bayern, remains one of the team’s most respected figures and has played a key role in their success over the years.
While Bayern ultimately secured progression to the next round, Kompany’s handling of the situation may have left a sour taste especially for fans who see Muller as more than just a time-wasting option.