Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac admitted Javi Martinez faked cramp to waste time against Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Bundesliga champions stifled the Reds’ attack at Anfield to claim a 0-0 draw before the second leg of their last-16 second leg in Bavaria.
Although Jordan Henderson had a superb game for the hosts, his work rate and ball distribution was matched by Spain international Martinez, who collapsed to the turf clutching his legs seemingly with cramp.
But Kovac, who joined Bayern from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, admitted the midfielder was strategically running the clock down.
“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.”