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Harry Kane has tipped Paris Saint-Germain to beat Arsenal in the Champions League final and claims the French giants have earned their status as favorites to retain the crown.
The England captain suffered European heartbreak as Bayern Munich were eliminated by Luis Enrique’s side in a thrilling semi-final encounter.
Kane’s quest for a first Champions League trophy will have to wait at least another year after Bayern were knocked out by PSG in the semi-finals.
Despite a spirited second-half effort at the Allianz Arena, a 1-1 draw was not enough to overturn the deficit, resulting in a 6-5 aggregate defeat to the German giants.
The England captain managed to find the net in stoppage time, but the goal proved to be little more than a consolation as the final whistle sparked celebrations for the visiting Parisians.
After the match, the striker expressed his disappointment at the team’s elimination.
“It’s hard to take right now. Over the two legs 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] played a lot of good football but the last ball wasn’t there, Kane told reporters.
French giants backed for glory
PSG enter the final with the possibility of joining Real Madrid as the only club to successfully defend their title in the Champions League era.
Kane believes their status as reigning champions gives them an edge over Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.
“PSG are champions who probably have the right to be slight favourites, but overall there are two top teams taking it and it will be an even game,” Kane said as he assessed the tactical battle ahead.
The 32-year-old forward praised the quality of both finalists, but noted that PSG’s experience in pressure situations could be the deciding factor.
“It’s really even. Two totally different teams in the way they play, but two very strong teams. It’s going to be an interesting final. Us and PSG have a similar way of doing it. 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 will line up to watch PSG take on former north London rivals Arsenal, the former Tottenham forward admitted he is yet to make up his mind.
“I don’t know, it depends on where I am. Right now I’m just disappointed.”
Frustration with referee decisions
The other semi-final was not without its share of drama as Bayern felt aggrieved by several calls from referee Joao Pinheiro.
Kane was particularly vocal about a rejected penalty call for a handball by Joao Neves and the failure to dismiss Nuno Mendes.
“Everyone who watched the fight will have the same decision,” Kane said. “How you give the handball last week and not give it this week, both are just crazy. PSG should have had a clear second yellow card. He [the referee] changed his mind, maybe the atmosphere got him.”
Bittersweet story for the England captain
While the team’s result was devastating, Kane managed to secure a personal milestone that puts him in elite company.
By scoring a stoppage-time equalizer on the night, he became the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo to score in six consecutive knockout games in the Champions League.
However, the record offered 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 strong season, but always in the Champions League it will come down to the last margins,” Kane reflected. “We had the dream to win all the trophies, we are good enough to be able to do that and that’s why it hurts.”
Bayern will now have to shift their focus back to domestic affairs as they look to secure a domestic double, with the DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart serving as their prime chance for redemption.
