Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller bought a virtual ticket for TSV 1860 Munich’s derby against SpVgg Unterhaching

Per a new report from Tz, Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller bought a virtual ticket for TSV 1860 Munich’s derby match against SpVgg Unterhaching last weekend, which 1860 won by a score of 3-1. The win took 1860 to 5th place in the 3. Bundesliga table, just three points shy of the playoff promotion spot and four points shy of an automatic promotion spot, though second-placed Hansa Rostock has a match in hand.

At first glance, this headline might’ve caused a double take for any loyal fan of either Munich-based club given the perceived animosity, but Muller did it in an act of solidarity and support.

Obviously, like most other football clubs across the globe, 1860 Munich has suffered financial losses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, especially because gate receipts and ticket sales for matches have been non existent. The club put on a virtual sale for the big match this past weekend and the club’s official Instagram account made a post thanking fans for their purchases, including a special mention of Muller.

In the post, part of the description read, “Have you really bought a 12th man ticket, dear Thomas @esmuellert?” They directly tagged Muller’s Instagram account in the post and in the comments section, one TSV fan had written, “cancel your ticket and get your money back. Nobody needs a cent from them [Bayern].”

There is speculation that Muller himself was not behind the actual purchase of the virtual ticket and that someone might’ve done it under his name as a prank, but TSV’s ticketing office was still shocked either way upon seeing the purchase receipt. “When we placed an order, however, we almost fell into disbelief,” the club’s account had said on Instagram. If it wasn’t Muller, it seems like someone really went out of their way to pull off quite the wind up.