The Germany international was happy to escape with a point after he saved a penalty from Robert Lewandowski and saw Rafinha sent off
Manuel Neuer admitted clashes against Borussia Dortmund are never friendly affairs after Bayern Munich drew 1-1 with their arch-rivals in a feisty encounter on Saturday.
Mario Gomez cancelled out Kevin Grosskreutz’s opener, while Neuer kept out Robert Lewandowski’s penalty and had to be on guard in the latter stages following Rafinha’s dismissal for two bookable offences.
“No matter where the game takes place, it is never a friendly between these two teams,” the 27-year-old told Sky after the match.
“It is always an eye-to-eye duel. We played the second-half with 10men, which was difficult of course.”
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes was equally impressed with how die Roten shrugged off Champions League exertions against Barcelona to earn a result at Signal Iduna Park.
“It was an intense game,” he said.
“After the week’s events, It was not easy to move on with the agenda. There is high praise for my team, which acted outstandingly aggressive with 10 players. We deserved the point.”
The two sides face one another again in the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25.