Nagelsmann: Bellingham deserved red card in Der Klassiker draw

Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann believes Jude Bellingham should have been sent off in the 2-2 Der Klassiker draw against Borussia Dortmund.

Nagelsmann’s side went into a two-goal lead after strikes from Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane, but a late comeback changed the course of the game, with Youssoufa Moukoko and a last-minute Anthony Modeste header levelling for the hosts.

The game could have been different, however, had Bellingham been shown a red card for a challenge on Alphonso Davies that left the Bayern defender with a suspected concussion.

Bellingham was not booked for the foul, where a high boot struck the head of the Canada international, and Nagelsmann believes the wrong action was taken – where a yellow would have been his second of the game, resulting in a dismissal.

“He hits him in the face. The rules are clear. There is a suspicion of a concussion. That’s not surprising given the kick in the face,” he told Sky.

“Four months ago, we had a training course. They told us that a kick in the face is a red.”

Ugh. A draw in Dortmund.

#BVBFCB 2-2 pic.twitter.com/RmtU5TafGs

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) October 8, 2022

While Bayern will be disappointed to have to share the points with their fierce rivals, Nagelsmann conceded the result was a fair reflection of the game.

“We didn’t have a top start. We lost too many balls due to a lot of direct play,” he said in the press conference.

“The lead was not well deserved, but we were much better in the game in the second half. We had a lot of good moments and much better game control.

“For us it is very annoying. It was a fair division of points. We were better in the second half, although we conceded two goals. It’s bizarre that I say that.”