Bayern Munich’s 4-0 DFB Pokal win over Mainz looked run-of-the-mill, but their opponents insisted it was anything but.
Vincent Kompany’s side progressed to the third round of the German cup with their eighth win in 12 games, but there were some sour grapes post-match.
Bayern took an early second minute lead through Jamal Musiala who would go on to complete a first career hat-trick with all four of the game’s goals coming in a chaotic first half.
But they should have done so without Harry Kane, at least according to the opposition goalkeeper.
Mainz’s Robin Zentner received a boot in the face from the England captain during the opening 45 minutes, and needed extensive treatment with a bloodied eyebrow and black eye.
He managed to stay on the pitch and complete the match, but soon argued that Kane shouldn’t have been so lucky.
Speaking post-match, the shot-stopper said: “You can certainly blame him for that. He sees relatively early on that he won’t get to the ball. Then he might as well just stay away.”
It wasn’t just the Kane incident either, with Zentner also adamant that Musiala was offside for his second goal.
Video assistant technology isn’t used until the next round, but the goalkeeper argued it wasn’t even necessary for the header that made it 2-0.
“You don’t need a VAR for that,” Zentner added. “We have a linesman for that. It’s relatively clear, a situation that’s easy to judge.
“The fact that he didn’t see it… That’s not even close. We didn’t have any luck with the referee. That’s reserved for Bayern.”
The final comment may get the goalkeeper in trouble with the German football association, and if he’s penalised, teammate Dominik Kohr will likely face an even heavier punishment.
Adding to Zentner’s comments, he said: “The goal that made it 2-0 was offside, and I was knocked over for the fourth goal.
“It was clear to me that the referee was wearing a Bayern jersey.”
All the drama didn’t distract from a night of celebration for Musiala, who was taken off at half-time with a job done.
When the full-time whistle blew, he then went onto the pitch and amusingly did an impression of teammate Kane who’s very used to receiving hat-trick balls of his own.
Musiala took the classic Kane selfie with the ball, and then repeated his usual post-match comments word-for-word, producing the kind of dressing room banter that will leave his teammates in pieces.
