Especially Van Bommel.
What stuck with Kircher the most was how Van Bommel had committed four fouls in a very short span during that match.
None of the fouls were major. They were the kind that infuriated opponents but were subtle enough that the referee couldn't easily call them.
This completely shattered Werder Bremen's composure.
As a result, Bayern scored twice in just ten minutes.
'If Werder Bremen had protested in time, or even just started an argument with Bayern like Dortmund did,' Kircher thought, 'the referee would have had to intervene, and Van Bommel would have certainly been carded early on.'
However, Werder Bremen did eventually react.
Shortly before halftime, Mesut was on the ball and drew a foul from Van Bommel.
This time, Kircher didn't hesitate to show the card.
But Werder Bremen had already lost the First Move. The final score was 2-3, a home loss to Bayern.
Van Bommel was the kind of player opponents loathed, but his own fans adored.
