Sven Ulreich apologizes for his mistake against Real Madrid

Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper Sven Ulreich took to Instagram to extend an apology to his teammates and fans after committing a fatal error in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid.

Words can’t describe how disappointed I am about being knocked out of the Champions League. We wanted to make it to the final at all costs and did our best, and then I made this unnecessary mistake. I can’t explain it. I’m sorry... for my team and for you fans.

But Ulreich is not completely to blame for Bayern Munich’s failure to advance to the Champions League final, and his teammates and coach are first among his defenders. Thomas Müller commented,

Mistakes happen; nobody is blaming him. We could have canceled out the mistake, too.

And coach Jupp Heynckes viewed the entire situation as unfortunate. In Heynckes's view, Tolisso’s back pass was “unnecessary.” Ulreich,

. . . who has played a really great season . . . had a blackout. He went to pick up the ball with his hands and realized that he couldn’t. Then he got confused . . . It’s very bitter for the player and my team.

It is all around a disappointing end to what has been a phenomenal season for Ulreich. Ulreich leads the Bundesliga with 12 clean sheets in just 27 games and has been solid as a rock in the Champions League after a very shaky debut under Carlo Ancelotti.

Chin up, Sven!