Ilzer slams red card call following Hoffenheim’s clear loss to Bayern

TSG Hoffenheim’s hopes of challenging Bayern Munich in Sunday's Bundesliga top-of-the-table clash at Allianz Arena took a significant hit when Kevin Akpoguma was sent off in the first half for pulling down Luis Diaz, with the referee also awarding a penalty.

Speaking after the game, Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer insisted it was the wrong call and expressed pride in his team despite the 5-1 defeat.

“Before the game, I said that if my team showed what we're capable of and we believed in ourselves, I'd be satisfied. And I am. I saw a team that played a top-notch game in all areas we could control. But that was definitely not a red card,” Ilzer said in a post-match interview.

“We found a lot of solutions in tight spaces afterward and we have learned a lot today that we can use in the future. I'm proud of our team. We're leaving with our heads held high.”