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Harry Kane has tipped Paris Saint-Germain to beat Arsenal in the Champions League final, claiming the French giants have 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 encounter.
Kane’s quest for his first Champions League trophy will have to wait at least another year after Bayern were eliminated by PSG in the semi-finals.
Despite a strong 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 injury time, but the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation as the final whistle sparked celebrations from the visiting Parisians.
After the match, the striker expressed his disappointment at the team’s elimination.
“It’s hard to accept right now. In both games we had enough moments to achieve a different result, but it didn’t go the way we wanted. Some decisions today didn’t go the way we wanted and [we] “I played very good football, but the final ball wasn’t there,” Kane told reporters.
French giants backed by glory
PSG reach 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 an advantage over Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
“PSG, being champions, probably have the right to be slight favorites, but overall, two important teams will face each other and it will be a close match,” Kane said when assessing the upcoming tactical battle.
The 32-year-old forward praised the quality of both finalists, but noted that PSG’s experience in high-pressure situations could be the deciding factor.
“It’s really close. Two totally different teams in the way they play, but two very strong teams. It will be an interesting final. Us and PSG have a similar way of approaching things. Some of the other top teams have a different style. That’s the beauty of football, it can be anything that gets you over the line.”
When asked if he would tune in to watch PSG take on their old north London rivals Arsenal, the former Tottenham striker admitted he hasn’t decided yet.
“I don’t know, it depends on where I am. Right now I’m disappointed.”
Frustration over referee decisions
The second leg of the semi-finals was not without drama, as Bayern were aggrieved by several calls from referee Joao Pinheiro.
Kane spoke particularly about a penalty claim rejected for a handball by Joao Neves and the failure to dismiss Nuno Mendes.
“Everyone who watched the game will have the same decision,” Kane said. “How you shake hands last week and don’t shake hands this week, both things are crazy. PSG should have received a clear second yellow card. [the referee] “He changed his mind, maybe the atmosphere affected him.”
Bittersweet story for England captain
While the team’s result was devastating, Kane managed to secure a personal milestone that puts him in elite company.
By scoring the equalizer in stoppage time that night, he became the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to score in six consecutive Champions League knockout matches.
However, the record provided little consolation 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 strong season, but in the Champions League it always comes down to the final margins,” Kane reflected. “We had the dream 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 refocus on domestic matters as they look to secure a domestic double, with the DFB Cup final against Stuttgart being their main chance for redemption.
