Lothar Matthaus lays into Bayern Munich star after Barcelona thrashing - as the Germany icon claims he is 'no longer the support for the team that he was'

Lothar Matthaus has ripped into 1 Bayern Munich prima aft they were thrashed by Barcelona successful nan Champions League.

The German giants went down 4-1 connected Wednesday nighttime aft Brazilian winger Raphinha scored a stunning hat-trick to time off Bayern pinch conscionable 3 points successful 3 games successful nan competition.

Bayern's dense conclusion comes aft they besides mislaid to Aston Villa earlier this period - and German insubstantial BILD subsequently ripped into respective players.

And now, Germany and Bayern fable Matthaus has added substance to nan occurrence arsenic he took purpose astatine nan capacity of Manuel Neuer.

Neuer struggled connected Wednesday, conceding 4 goals contempt Barcelona only racking up an xG of 2.23.

The 38-year-old has been integral for Bayern ever since joining successful 2011, making much than 500 appearances and winning 28 trophies on nan way.

However, successful caller years, mistakes person go progressively communal and Matthaus felt nan goalkeeper was nary longer astatine nan level he erstwhile was. 

'I don't usually want to criticise Manuel,' he told BILD. 'But astatine nan infinitesimal he is not nan support for nan squad that he was successful nan past. 

'Manuel Neuer is nary longer Manuel Neuer. Because he doesn't prevention nan unstoppable balls, his goalkeeping has changed.

'He utilized to expect each situation, he had a 360-degree view, and he would initiate attacks pinch a build-up pass. At nan infinitesimal he is not giving nan defence immoderate security.

'This is besides demonstrated by nan complaint of conscionable complete 40 percent of shots saved successful nan Bundesliga. I dream that he will soon find his measurement backmost to his aged crippled and confidence.'

Neuer has not ever been a regular for Bayern since breaking his limb successful a skiing mishap successful December 2022 and nan 38-year-old has travel nether unit for his position.

And, Matthaus' disapproval of Neuer - who retired from world work successful nan summertime - was joined by respective different pundits, pinch erstwhile Bayern prima Markus Babbel claiming that Neuer 'played arsenic if he had skis boots on'.

Meanwhile, erstwhile Bayern and Fulham leader Felix Magath added: 'I'm a small worried. Because he didn't make a very bully belief coming and I'm wondering what nan logic is.

'He's an fantabulous goalkeeper and nan mistakes he made are untypical.'

Matthaus went onto insist that Neuer tin still return to his best, but said he needs to find a measurement to build up his confidence.

'At nan moment, he is besides lacking luck successful nan game,' he added. 'But erstwhile he had 8 vulnerable shots connected extremity successful nan past, arsenic successful (the games against) Frankfurt and Barcelona, ​​this did not consequence successful 7 goals being conceded.

'The 2nd extremity against Barcelona is simply a bully example: Manuel hesitated, past near nan extremity and was incapable to do thing astir nan goal.'