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Harry Kane tipped Paris Saint-Germain to beat Arsenal in the Champions League final, saying the French giants had earned their status as favorites to retain the crown.
The England captain suffered European heartbreak when Bayern Munich were knocked out by Luis Enrique’s side in a thrilling semi-final.
Kane’s quest for a first Champions League trophy will have to wait at least a year after Bayern were beaten by PSG in the semi-finals.
Despite a spirited effort in the second leg at the Allianz Arena, a 1-1 draw was not enough to overturn the deficit, resulting in a 6-5 aggregate defeat for the German giants.
The England captain managed to find the net in stoppage time, but the goal was only a consolation as the final whistle sparked celebrations for the visiting Parisians.
Speaking after the match, the striker expressed his disappointment at the team’s elimination.
“It’s difficult to take at the moment. In both matches we had enough moments to get a different result, but it didn’t go our way. Some decisions today didn’t go our way and [we] “I played a lot of good football, but the final ball wasn’t there,” Kane told reporters.
French giants backed for glory
PSG enters the final with the opportunity to join Real Madrid as the only club to have successfully defended their title in the Champions League era.
Kane believes their status as reigning champions gives them the edge over Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
“As champions, PSG probably have the right to be slight favorites, but overall two top teams will face each other and it will be a balanced match,” Kane said when assessing the tactical battle ahead.
The 32-year-old striker praised the quality of both finalists, but noted that PSG’s experience in high-pressure situations could be the deciding factor.
“It’s really even. Two teams totally different in the way they play but two very strong teams. It will be an interesting final. Us and PSG have a similar way of going. Some of the other big teams have a different style. That’s the beauty of football, it can be whatever gets you over the finish line.”
Asked if he would tune in to see PSG take on their old north London rivals Arsenal, the former Tottenham striker admitted he had not yet made a decision.
“I don’t know, it depends where I am. Right now I’m just disappointed.”
Frustration with refereeing decisions
The semi-final second leg was not without its share of drama, with Bayern feeling aggrieved by several calls from referee Joao Pinheiro.
Kane particularly spoke out on the rejection of a penalty request for a handball from Joao Neves and on the non-sending off of Nuno Mendes.
“Everyone who watched the game will have the same decision,” Kane said. “How you gave the handball last week and don’t give it this week, both are just crazy. PSG should have had a second clear yellow card. He [the referee] He changed his mind, maybe the atmosphere affected him.”
A bittersweet story for the England captain
Even though the team’s result was devastating, Kane was able to achieve a personal milestone that puts him in elite company.
By scoring a stoppage-time equalizer that evening, he became the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to score in six consecutive Champions League knockout matches.
However, the record was little comfort to a man who has scored 55 goals in all competitions this season but will face the fate of a trophyless continental campaign.
“I think it’s been a very good season, but always in the Champions League it will be decided on the final margins,” Kane said. “We dreamed of winning all the trophies, we are good enough to be able to do it and that’s why it hurts.”
Bayern will now have to shift their focus back to domestic matters as they look to secure a domestic double, with the DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart their main chance at redemption.
