Matthäus says Olise should not have fallen for the provocation

“You can’t do that,” Lothar Matthäus said of Michael Olise, who is at the centre of controversy after being sent off in Bayern’s match against Viking Stavanger. The former Germany international, a Bayern institution, acknowledged that opponents try to unsettle players who make a difference, but said that did not justify the Frenchman’s reaction.

On Tuesday, after a provocation by Zlatko Tripic, Olise threw the ball at his face. The dismissal marked the first red card of Olise’s professional career. The incident came in the 74th minute. Reduced to 10 men, Bayern then saw Viking Stavanger snatch an equaliser in the 90th minute, with the match ending 3-3.

“Of course, every possible effort is made to get a player like that out of the game,” Matthäus acknowledged. But, he insisted, “I stand by my view that Olise let himself be provoked.” He also lamented that the Frenchman had harmed “not only himself, but above all the team.”

Matthäus therefore understands attempts to unsettle players, but does not condone someone of Olise’s ability taking the bait. He also rejected the idea of a financial penalty. The matter appears more likely to end with a public reprimand: Olise is expected to make a decisive contribution for Bayern while keeping his composure to prevent a repeat of Tuesday’s episode.