The manager says Javi Martinez strategically wasted time in Tuesday's scoreless draw in Anfield
Niko Kovac admitted that Bayern Munich looked to kill time in Tuesday's Champions League tie with Liverpool by faking cramps in the game's waning moments.
Bayern held on for a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Tuesday in the first leg of their round of 16 tie with last season's Champions League runners-up.
In the game's last few minutes, Bayern appeared content with the draw as the German champions sat back and protected the 0-0 scoreline.
Javi Martinez went down with what appeared to be a cramp as Liverpool turned up the pressure, but, after the match, Kovac admitted that his players were simply wasting time to preserve the vital away result.
"We all know the drill: It's close to the final whistle and you try to waste a bit of time," Kovac told Sky after the match.
"Javi has good performance data, meaning he couldn't have even had a cramp. That's all a bit of acting.
"Recently in Berlin, Kingsley Coman also pretended to have a cramp but he didn't.
"We have to bring calmness in the game. They do it well, they have the experience for that."
With the draw, Bayern will head to the Allianz Arena with a fighting chance against Liverpool, something that couldn't be said for the Reds' opponents last season in the same competition.
Liverpool trounced Manchester City 3-0 in the opening leg at Anfield in the quarter-finals a year ago before thumping Roma 5-2 at home to open the semi-final round.
Eager to avoid that, Bayern largely played it safe in the 0-0 draw, but will be limited going home as Joshua Kimmich's first-half caution earned him a suspension for the second leg due to yellow card accumulation.
The two sides will meet again on March 13 in Germany with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.
Before that, though, Bayern will look to push for a trophy domestically as they face Hertha Berlin, Borussia Monchengladbach and Wolfsburg in the coming weeks as they look to make up a three-point gap maintained by rivals Borussia Dortmund.
coseopu
0
come to Man U we can use u as an attacking Midfielder and with our current team u'll gel into our squad
Fikbckmst
0
join Arsenal
Sammac
0
come back to Bayern
MaddyKotagiri
0
When he was not in form, he should have gone to some small clubs and regain momentum but instead he choose only big clubs and couldn’t live up to expectations!! Now I feel no top club will buy him, he still has age and at least now hope he goes to a right place and settle his career.
Should have cut down his wages then!!
Zaynu4020
0
please go to premier league
hebckmn
0
He has great potential to be one of the best but Real Madrid destroy his career.....
How? We sent him to Bayern on loan and you call that destroyed career? shame to you. What did you do with Coutinho? Did you ever use him? is it our fault that has is injury prone? I don't get it. What at all has he done for Madrid? How I wished he leaves. He is done at Madrid. look at how Modric and other mid fielders play? Can he compete? No.
Keydlmry
0
OK hiyo ni smart
SolomonEscober
0
When he was not in form, he should have gone to some small clubs and regain momentum but instead he choose only big clubs and couldn’t live up to expectations!! Now I feel no top club will buy him, he still has age and at least now hope he goes to a right place and settle his career.
how will a small club cover a wage of 400k
FlynnTalat
5
He has great potential to be one of the best but Real Madrid destroy his career.....
zebklmt
0
you should go Juventus..
JeeJoy
0
go to juventus .. it's good for him and also juve... he has tha potential..
imagine James Dybala Ronaldo... Goals Galore!!!
nedblry
0
go to juventus .. it's good for him and also juve... he has tha potential..
Yes , we need him. Our midfield is trash.
nedblry
0
Zidane destroyed his career
Also real Madrid and he himself too. He would have leave Madrid as he was not getting game time.
surajcro7
0
go to juventus .. it's good for him and also juve... he has tha potential..
MaddyKotagiri
0
When he was not in form, he should have gone to some small clubs and regain momentum but instead he choose only big clubs and couldn’t live up to expectations!! Now I feel no top club will buy him, he still has age and at least now hope he goes to a right place and settle his career.
zaocnotz
0
just go to Chelsea they keep all the disposed of items
ramimohsen
0
Zidane destroyed his career
yeah he is a good player
Sosst
0
He should go to inter miami💡
Pepcio
3
Bayern should have singed him ....
Victrust
0
I wish Man Utd can sign you just to replace lingard and Pereira
zeeshu_zs
2
Zidane destroyed his career
AirCR7
4
I think this article deserves this