Jerome Boateng. INSET: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has hit back at Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after the chairman of the German giants had questioned his form.
Bayern’s shock Champions League defeat by Rostov prompted Rummenigge to hit out at Boateng’s display, despite the German centre-half being forced off injured.
In response, the former Manchester City man invited Rummenigge to a face-to-face meeting after he missed his team’s victory over Bayer Levurkusen.
‘I can only laugh about these statements,’ Boateng said. ‘Next time he can say it personally in my face – and then it’s fine.’
Boateng was forced off before the hour mark against Rostov, a thigh injury bringing a premature end to his evening on what was a night to forget for the Bundesliga side.
‘Jerome has to find his balance again,’Â Rummenigge said of Boateng after the game.
‘There is a bit too much hype around him at the moment. It would be good for him and the club if he came back down to earth a bit.
‘It makes no sense to make a big fuss now. The team knows that it has not played well. We must now do better, starting on Saturday against Leverkusen.’
Bayern did indeed return to winning ways against Leverkusen, Mats Hummels scoring his first Bundesliga goal for the club in a 2-1 victory.
Thiago Alcantara had opened the scoring for Carlo Ancelotti’s men before Hakan Calhanoglu’s superb effort levelled the scores.