ESPNsoccernet: UEFA Champions League

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has said sorry for his red card against BATE Borisov in the Champions League - but added that he felt he should not have been sent off.

Jerome Boateng was sent off against BATE Borisov (PA Photos)

Germany international Boateng was given a straight red card for dangerous play after his 50th-minute challenge on Vitali Rodionov.

The sending-off means he could be ruled out of Bayern's matches in the competition's last 16 - although UEFA has yet to confirm a punishment - and that would leave Bayern with only two available senior centre-backs.

The Bavarians eased to a 4-1 win, with their opponents also having a man sent off, and Boateng tweeted: "Sorry for my team about my red card. I think it wasn't a red card!"

But Bayern general manager Matthias Sammer said: "Of course, it angers me. We cannot just say: 'Everything is OK.'"

Coach Jupp Heynckes was also irritated by Boateng's challenge, saying: "There is absolutely no need to go into that tackle with a 25-metre run-up."

Sammer had suggested Bayern could bring in another defender during the January transfer window, but chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, speaking to the official club website, said: "It definitely wouldn't be wise to look for a new player just because of two Champions League fixtures.

"And in all likelihood, there won't be a centre-back on the winter market capable of playing in the Champions League and increasing our quality."

Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo, 25, has told AZ he hopes to be back in action before the winter break having undergone groin surgery in November.

"The scar from the operation still hurts a bit sometimes, but that's not a problem," he said. "Time is getting short for a return against Gladbach [on December 14th], but I am aiming for the cup game against Augsburg [on December 18th]. It would be nice if that works out."