Hertha Berlin coach Pal Dardai has jumped to the defence of on-loan Liverpool midfielder Allan.

The Brazilian has been hammered after a backheel inside the Hertha penalty area led to Thiago Alcantara putting Bayern 2-0 ahead in this week's 3-0 rout.

Dardai stated: "Especially at a stage in the game, where we had stabilized, this was unnecessary. He has to learn from this.

"But much bigger players have made even worse errors. Actually he played quite well."

He added: "After the game, he was knocked down, the players have built him up again in the dressing room. He's a good boy, teachable and willing."