Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel hit out at Bayer Leverkusen's extremely physical style of play, following his side's 2-0 defeat to Roger Schmidt's side on Saturday, according toFourFourTwo.
Goals from Admir Mehmedi and former Manchester United hitman Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez secured the victory for Leverkusen, but Tuchel focused his post-match comments on how Dortmund's opponents approached the game.
The former Mainz boss saw two of his players, Gonzalo Castro and Sebastien Rode, forced to leave the field with injuries, and clearly felt that Leverkusen - famed for their high intensity pressing game under Schmidt's guidance - had crossed the line in their approach.
Five Bayer players were shown yellow cards, but it was clear that Tuchel believed referee Manuel Grafe should have issued a red card to at least one of Schmidt's charges.
"Normally, a team would not end the game with eleven players if so many fouls are made throughout the game.
''We again [had] 21 fouls [in our favour]. We had to make substitutions due to injury. Castro and Rode were both unable to play on.
''We have to cope with a lot, our attacking players are fouled a lot. Boundaries have been crossed."
Bayer Leverkusen have beaten Borussia Dortmund at home for the first since 19th May 2007.
Patience is a virtue. pic.twitter.com/dunQ41ZSJ4
Such strong words might see Tuchel landed in hot water with the powers that be at the Bundesliga.
If that is the case, it will only add to Tuchel's sense of frustration, as he saw his side miss the chance to capitalise on league-leaders Bayern Munich's surprise 1-1 home draw with Cologne earlier on in the day.
The defeat, Dortmund's second in six Bundesliga matches, sees them stuck in third position, four points behind Carlo Ancelotti's side. The Bavarians have steamrollered to the title in the previous four seasons and look set to do so this term also - especially if Dortmund's form continues to be so patchy.
Tuchel also claimed his side were 'tired' after the game, following their midweek Champions League 2-2 with holders Real Madrid.
BVB were bullied yesterday and so squandered a golden opportunity - in more ways than onehttps://t.co/12acksaRnO