HARRY KANE revealed he changed his “style” of penalty taking after researching keeper David Raya before Bayern Munich’s clash with Arsenal.
England captain Kane, 30, scored the German side’s second goal of the game from the spot in a 2-2 draw in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates.
And he did so while debuting a new style from 12 yards.
Kane is known for running up to a penalty with purpose and striking the ball hard into one of the corners.
But against Arsenal he made a slight adjustment, slowing his run-up as he approached the ball, waiting for Raya to move, and slotting it coolly into the corner.
And the former Tottenham striker, who now has 15 goals in 20 games against the Gunners, confirmed after the game that he changed his style after watching Raya, 28, save two penalties in Arsenal’s last-16 win over Porto.
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Speaking on TNT Sports, Kane said: “I did some research on his [shoot-out] against Porto – he really gets to the corners early, so I had to change my style a little bit.
“It was nice to see him go early and make it easy for me.”
Nine of Kane’s 15 goals against Arsenal have come from the penalty spot.
And his new style of spot kick could benefit England at the Euros, 18 months on from Kane missing a decisive penalty in a 2-1 defeat to France at the World Cup.
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Surprised it wasn’t a penalty, says Halsey
By Mark Halsey
SOME will say that Bukayo Saka initiated the contact, but Manuel Neuer stuck out his leg.
I was surprised Glenn Nyberg did not award Arsenal a penalty in real time at the end.
Bayern Munich could have no complaints if it was given, they got away with one.
Munich were very lucky.
It is subjective, so maybe that is why VAR did not get involved.
Had it been given, the decision would not have changed.
It comes after SunSport revealed back in February that waiting for the keeper to move is the most successful method for scoring a penalty.
And standing still could be shot-stoppers’ best way of turning the tide on more converted spot kicks.
The method certainly would have received less criticism from ex-Tottenham man Rafael van der Vaart – who slated Raya and questioned if he was “even a goalkeeper”.
But while Kane’s goalscoring run continued in North London, many Gunners supporters also felt he should have been sent off.
The Three Lions skipper escaped a red card after elbowing Gabriel in the throat, knocking the defender to the ground.
Kane only received a caution for the foul which occurred 10 minutes into the second half.
A sending off would have ruled him out of the return leg, but he is now available when Bayern face Arsenal again next Wednesday.
Why would he pick it up? It HAS to be a penalty, says Halsey
By Mark Halsey
Arsenal could have absolutely no complaints if a penalty was awarded to Bayern Munich.
The referee signalled for David Raya to take the goal kick.
He did… and Gabriel picked the ball up. Why would he do that? The whistle had been blown.
The only person who has made a mistake is Gabriel. Why would he pick the ball up?
Once the referee has blown his whistle and Gabriel has picked it up, he has to give a penalty.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
