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Harry Kane’s substitution in the Champions League semi-final due to back pain has been labelled as the turning point in the tie that saw Bayern Munich exit the competition at the final hurdle.
Kane picked up a back injury in the tie, which saw the Englishman assist the opening goal. Until the 88th minute, Bayern’s place in the final was all but assured.
However, just four minutes before Real Madrid’s equalising goal, manager Thomas Tuchel opted to substitute the striker, a decision he defended as his only option.
Bayern crashed out of the competition just seven minutes later after conceding two late goals.
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Champions League Semi Final Recap
It was a night to forget for Tuchel, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, how he would have loved to have bowed out with another Champions League trophy.
His side started the game strong and defended for their lives. The German side then looked to be well on their way to the final at Wembley after Alphonso Davies stunning goal in the 68th minute, assisted by Kane.
Fast-forward 15 minutes, and Kane was withdrawn after signalling that he needed to come off due to back pain. His manager obliged and put former Stoke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on in his place.
The events that happened between that moment and the final whistle are ones to forget.
Tuchel’s decision has been criticized by multiple pundits in the footballing world. It has been labelled an ‘arrogant substitution’ and one of the ‘biggest subs ever seen in a game of football’.
However, the German manager explained why he had no choice but to withdraw the striker despite so much riding on the game.
Tuchel said:
“He couldn’t keep going. He played with back pain and he couldn’t keep going, his back froze up.
We started with a front four and all four had to go out with injury or cramp”.
Real Madrid will now face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Final at Wembley on Saturday, 1st June, 2024.
Kane’s Trophy Curse
The 30 year olds transfer to Germany ultimately was to go on and win trophies.
Bayern have been running the Bundesliga for the last 13 years, so it was almost a given that Kane would have his first trophy in his first season at his new club.
Kane went on to become one of the side’s key players, scoring 44 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions.
However, Bayern missed out on the league title this season, as Bayer Leverkusen stormed to take it for themselves after going undefeated for the season.
With the Bundesliga title no longer in their hands and an exit from the Champions League, Kane will not get the chance to lift any silverware for the very first time just yet.
Is the English striker cursed when it comes to winning a trophy? It sure seems like the bad luck keeps coming his way.
The next opportunity for Kane to get his hands on some silverware will be at this summer’s European Championships with England.
