Niko Kovac admits Javi Martínez faked cramp at end of Liverpool clash | OneFootball

On Thursday, Bayern boss Niko Kovač admitted to his players faking injuries in his side’s last two cup matches.

He was rather unapologetic in his remarks.

“We all know how it is: it’s shortly before the end and you’re trying to give yourself a little bit of time.

“Javi [Martínez] has good endurance, he doesn’t get cramps. In Berlin [against Hertha], we also had Kingsley [Coman] who suddenly cramped up, but it was nothing.

“You have to bring calmness. That’s what they do well, they have the experience.

I’m aware of my statement. Maybe that was unnecessary, stupid or naive – I don’t know. I was honest.

“In the 85th minute after several sprints up and down you just want to take the air out.

“That’s perfectly normal at this level.”

When challenged on the idea, he pointed to the way other Bundesliga sides play against them.

“Many of our opponents after only ten seconds of play try to run the clock out.

“I don’t want to apologize, but I think that’s going in the wrong direction.”

Bayern are back in action on Saturday, once again facing Hertha.