2024-08-18 13:58:43
The defeat in the Supercup was not the only annoyance for Ermedin Demirović on Saturday evening. The VfB newcomer sharply criticized one of his opponents.
VfB Stuttgart missed out on the first title of the new season. The Supercup went to Bayer Leverkusen after the Swabians lost on penalties (5:6). VfB newcomer Ermedin Demirović was able to convert his shot. He was annoyed after the defeat, not only because of the result, but also because of the behavior of one of his opponents.
“I don’t want to fall in a moment like that because I’m just not the type of person who falls because of such a small contact,” said Demirović after the final whistle on pay-TV channel Sky, commenting on a scene from the second half. There was a scuffle between the Stuttgart and Leverkusen players after Demirović and his opponent Edmond Tapsoba pushed each other and the defender grabbed the VfB professional by the neck. An action that Demirović described on Sky as “disrespectful.”
“He has his hand on my neck the whole time,” Demirović continued, who then really got going. “I think when we’re not on the football pitch, things are different here. It’s not appropriate. It’s not appropriate in sport. His hand has no place in my face or on my neck.” Such behavior annoys him, said the 26-year-old. “But if the referee doesn’t say anything, it’s okay.”
There will also be no subsequent discussion with Tapsoba to resolve the matter, Demirović stressed. “I don’t have to talk to him to clarify this. That’s the way it is now,” he made clear. “He and I have never been friends and will never be friends. So that’s fine for me.”
Demirović and VfB will start the new Bundesliga season next Saturday with an away game against SC Freiburg. Bayer Leverkusen will be visiting Borussia Mönchengladbach the day before.