In statistical terms he had a point, with Bayern having 72% of possession and 23 shots to Hoffenheim’s six, but Ancelotti is experienced enough to know that possession doesn’t necessarily equal control. Siebert explained the rules – that play only needs to stopped if the second ball is interfering with the game which, having been dispatched 70 yards into Hoffenheim territory by Hummels, it clearly wasn’t. “The ball boys are encouraged to get the ball back into the game quickly,” Nagelsmann said of the 13-year-old that the club declined to name after the match. Solving such conundrums could be the problem of Nagelsmann – who said Hoffenheim’s “bigger heart” made the difference – before long. Mario Gómez damaged his ankle ligaments kicking his own leg, instead of the ball, in front of goal, and will be missing for a few weeks.

Source: The Guardian September 11, 2017 10:25 UTC