Bayern Munich suffered a heartbreaking late defeat as Real Madrid sealed their place in the Champions League final – but did Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions cost his side?
Bayern led 1-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate and Tuchel’s side were due to face domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 1, until Joselu scored in the 88th and 91st minutes. ball.
Bayern were unable to force their way into extra time even after 15 minutes of stoppage time, and Tuchel hampered their chances of doing so by deciding to substitute Kane and Jamal Musiala just minutes before Joselu’s goal .
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Football writer and broadcaster Henry Winter discusses Thomas Tuchel’s decision to replace Harry Kane in Bayern Munich’s loss to Real Madrid with The Times’ Martin Hardy
These decisions backfired. Without Kane and Musiala, Bayern’s offensive threat has completely disappeared. In fact, they had one shot after the changes – Nussel Mazraoui’s shot that was almost disallowed.
Tuchel said after the game that he had to replace all four attackers – Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane having been substituted earlier in the game – due to injuries and cramps.
But with time running out and Bayern only holding a one-goal advantage, can Tuchel ask Kane to hold on for the rest of the game?
Even with his declining fitness, Kane has still scored 44 goals this season, ahead of Thomas Muller and Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting, both of whom Tuchel brought from the bench. The forward with a combined age of 69 is more threatening.
The England captain provided the assist for Alphonso Davies’ goal which appeared to send Bayern to Wembley – one of two chances he created on the night, more than any other Bayern player.
Alphonso Davies celebrates after scoring to put Bayern Munich ahead of Real Madrid
But it’s not just Kane’s substitution that Tuchel may regret. In the 76th minute, Kim Min-jae came on the court and Bayern switched to a five-man defense.
The defender endured a nightmare in the first leg, having played a role in both Real Madrid goals and was again at fault in the winner when Antonio Rudiger crossed for Joselu At that time, Real Madrid’s entire team was on the court.
Tuchel’s defense
Thomas Tuchel may have regrets after Bayern Munich defeat
Kane may have provided the assist for Davies’ goal, but it was all down to the efforts of the full-back, who replaced the injured Serge Gnabry on the wing.
In fact, Kane’s pass to Davis was one of only four completed passes his entire time on the pitch – the fewest of any starter.
The 30-year-old looked out of rhythm for much of the game and his passes to Sane and Davies in the first half were imprecise, which could have prompted dangerous counterattacks.
Kane’s winning rate in duels is less than 50%, and Antonio Rudiger and Nacho intercepted many times.
Real Madrid players celebrate after Joselu scores the team’s second goal
Tuchel was clearly not satisfied with the performance of his attackers, saying after the game: “We were not clinical enough on the counterattack – if we had been more clinical we could have scored.”
Kane’s understated performance underlines his failure to make it to the biggest stage. The fact is that Kane failed to score in the Champions League final, European Championship final and two League Cup finals. In fact, Kane has lost all four games.
Most recently, the striker missed a penalty as England were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals by France.
In fact, in the Champions League quarter-finals and six professional games thereafter, Kane scored two goals – both from penalties.
This is the moment Bayern’s entire season – and Tuchel’s Bavarian reign – is in jeopardy. Since the Bundesliga has surrendered and the German Cup has long ceased to exist, the Champions League is the only trophy in Bayern’s hands.
They will now end the season empty-handed for the first time in more than a decade, with their search for a manager having been rejected after being rejected by Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick. Procrastinating.
Even these rejections are unlikely to result in a U-turn for Tuchel, who will leave Bayern with questions about where his career will take him next, while Kane awaits his first professional trophy.
Tuchel: Attacker injured or cramped
Leroy Sane struggled and was replaced by Min-Jae Kim in the 76th minute
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel Tell TNT Sports“We are almost done, almost there. You can never be completely sure because this is Madrid.
“We were not clinical enough on the counter-attack – if we had been more calm and collected we could have scored.
“Part of the story is we started with the top four guys and all four guys needed to play because of injuries and cramps. At that level, it’s too much.
“If you get through in the 88th minute you see the end of the tunnel. It wasn’t our best game but we said before we don’t need to be perfect, we just need to be good enough tonight.
“The team had everything and we did it together. Then, due to cramp, we conceded a goal that our goalkeeper had never conceded.
“The good thing is that we give everything. That’s the most important thing and then in sport you accept the result.”
When will the 2024 Champions League final take place?
The final will take place at Wembley on Saturday, June 1, between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, with the match starting at 8pm UK time.
Follow live updates on the Sky Sports website and Sky Sports app.
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