The next time Bayern Munich steps up to take a penalty, they might want to form a protective huddle around the spot. After a controversial moment in their match against VfL Wolfsburg, the German giants are facing criticism for failing to secure the penalty area before Harry Kane's missed attempt.

Here's what went down: Wolfsburg defender Jeanuël Belocian was spotted deliberately tearing up the turf around the penalty spot before Kane's strike. The England captain's subsequent miss sparked a firestorm of debate across the Bundesliga, with fans and pundits alike questioning Bayern's lack of awareness on the pitch.

Two of Germany's football legends have now weighed in. Former Bayern star Stefan Effenberg didn't hold back during his appearance on Sport1-Doppelpass. "Normally, you always have one or two players there to protect the penalty spot," Effenberg said. "Or the player taking the penalty himself checks and verifies everything again. Of course, we don't want that, but I also have a little understanding for it. Everything is at stake for Wolfsburg. I wouldn't say it was grossly unsportsmanlike—it was unsportsmanlike, but oh well... serves him right."

Friedhelm Funkel, another veteran of the German game, took a more pragmatic view. "I think it's clever," he admitted. "Of course, with a touch of unsportsmanlike conduct, no question about it. But I remember doing something similar myself in the past."

The lesson here? In the high-stakes world of professional football, every edge counts—even if it means a little gamesmanship around the penalty spot. For Bayern Munich, next time it might be worth forming a Roman battle formation around that spot to ensure nothing gets disturbed before the kick.

For fans looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, stay tuned—because in this league, the drama never stops.