Bayern Munich star Josip Stanisic has admitted he was ‘stupid’ after pushing a ballboy in frustration as the German giants crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Croatian defender had been hoping to help Bayern overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit in their quarter-final against Inter Milan at the San Siro.
England captain Harry Kane levelled the tie by putting Bayern ahead on the night in the second half.
Inter, however, struck back with goals from Lautaro Martinez and ex-Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard to extend their aggregate lead.
An Eric Dier header gave Bayern hope in the later stages, but the Bundesliga side ultimately ran out of time to complete the comeback.
Their frustration was highlighted by Stanisic deep into stoppage time, as the Croatian clashed with a ball boy.
Josip Stanisic pushed a ball boy as Bayern Munich went out of the Champions League
Stanisic attempted to take the ball as Bayern chased an equalising goal in stoppage time
The defender pushed the ball boy off his stool after they had thrown the ball away from him
The ball boy had been passed the ball by Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi with just one minute left to play.
A desperate Stanisic looked to recover the ball to resume play and grappled with the ball boy, who opted to throw the ball away in an apparent time wasting move.
Stanisic reacted with frustration and pushed the ball boy, who fell backwards off his stool and onto the ground.
The incident led to Stanisic being confronted by Inter Milan players as tempers threatened to boil over.
Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco, who had been substituted, was booked for his reaction to Stanisic by referee Slavko Vincic.
Despite pushing the ball boy, Stanisic avoided punishment from the referee for his actions.
Play resumed with Inter Milan seeing out the final minute of stoppage time to book their place in the semi-finals, with Bayern bowing out.
Stanisic admitted post match that he had been ‘stupid’ to have pushed the ball boy.
Stanisic admitted post match that he had been ‘stupid’ to get involved with the ball boy
Bayern Munich bowed out of the competition following a 4-3 aggregate defeat by Inter Milan
Inter Milan, the runners-up two years ago, will face Barcelona in the semi-finals
‘Every team in the world, when they’re leading, plays for time at the end,’ he said.
‘It was a bit stupid of me to push him.
‘At that moment, I was just angry.’
Inter Milan were able to celebrated setting up a semi-final against Barcelona next month.
The Italian giants will be bidding to go one step further than two years ago, when Inzaghi’s side finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the Champions League.