Champions League

HARRY KANE is ready to go to ‘war’ with Jude Bellingham as English football’s two great exiles prepare to face off in a Champions League semi-final.Kane’s Bayern Munich and Bellingham’s Real Madrid ended Premier League interest in Europe’s elite competition with quarter-final victories over Arsenal and Manchester City on Wednesday night.Harry Kane has revealed he is ready to go to ‘war’ with Jude Bellingham to win the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyBellingham’s Real Madrid will face Kane’s Bayern Munich in the semi-final of the Champions LeagueCredit: APAnd Kane, who left Tottenham for Bayern last summer, says he and Bellingham snubbed moves to English clubs to give themselves a better chance of competing at the sharp end of the Champions League.Kane said: “Jude has had a fantastic season, he’s a top player, so I’m really happy for him.“But it will be another war against his team but these are the experiences that we both went abroad to try to achieve.”To play in these big nights in the Champions League, to play in these big semi-finals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It will be one to enjoy and I’m sure there will be a lot of English fans watching both of us. We have to focus on ourselves. I’ll say hello but once we’re on the pitch, it’s business.”Kane and Bellingham are both targeting a Champions League Final at Wembley on June 1, ahead of England’s Euros campaign in Germany.And Kane said: “Wembley is the dream for both of us, for sure. With Wembley being our national stadium, it’s extra motivation for us”But there are two games ahead of us before that, which are going to be really tough so we have to focus on that.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBellingham and Kane will have to put their England friendship aside for the Champions League semi-finalCredit: GettyKane and his Bayern team-mates, including fellow Englishman Eric Dier, watched Real’s penalty shoot-out victory over City from their Allianz Arena dressing-room after they had defeated Arsenal 1-0 to complete a 3-2 aggregate success.The England captain said: “We watched in the locker room, having a bit of food – Real Madrid are a big club with an amazing history in the Champions League so it’s going to be a really difficult game for us.Jude Bellingham cheekily calls out Micah Richards for breaking promise after ‘little wager’ before Man City lossThis one will have stung Kane the most… what’s the German for schadenfreude?, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd

OF all the trophies Harry Kane has missed out on, the Bundesliga will have stung the most.
This was supposed to have been a dead cert. This was nailed-on.
Bayern Munich had won 11 successive Bundesliga titles, so when the England captain signed for the great Bavarian powerhouse last summer, we all said: “Well, at least he’ll finally win something.”
Yet on Sunday evening, there were Bayer Leverkusen — known in Germany as ‘Neverkusen’ because they hadn’t previously won the league thanks to several late implosions — cavorting around, 16 points clear, unbeaten in all competitions and confirmed as champions with five games to spare.
And so the greatest trophy curse in footballing history continues.
And this one really is freakish because Leverkusen’s story is almost as extraordinary as Leicester City’s miracle title in 2015-16 — the season when Kane won his first Premier League Golden Boot and Tottenham ended up ‘third in a two-horse race’ behind Arsenal.
Kane is always the runner-up, always the nearly man, always the fall guy, too often a figure of fun for those taking pleasure in the misfortune of others.
Does anyone know the German word for schadenfreude…?
Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
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“But that’s what the semi-finals of the Champions League are all about, playing the biggest teams.”Kane says Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel – a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021 – is determined to sign off with the European Cup before he leaves Bavaria this summer after his side surrendered their Bundesliga crown to Bayer Leverkusen.He added: “We are going to stick behind Thomas as long as he is here, until the end of the season.“He has given all his energy to make us successful in this competition and we feel we can come together and finish his reign here on a high.“We need that togetherness, we’ve lacked it a bit in the Bundesliga this year, we’ve had it in the Champions League, so we are going to need more of it in the semi-final.“It feels amazing to be there. Credit to Arsenal, they put up a tough test but in the second leg we knew we had an extra five per cent, which was the crowd behind us.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We knew we could find a way to get through and that’s what we did. “The first half, I thought the game was 50-50, a bit cagey, but in the second half we came out with a real intensity, we had a few chances that hit the post and we got the goal, we stuck together and we saw it through.”Kane and Bayern ended Arsenal’s European dream with a 3-2 aggregate winCredit: GettyManchester City were knocked out by Real Madrid on penaltiesCredit: PA More

JUDE BELLINGHAM teased Micah Richards after knocking Manchester City out of the Champions League last night.The Real Madrid star, 20, played the full 120 minutes before netting his spot-kick in the shoot-out as his side beat City 4-3 on penalties.Jude Bellingham cheekily pointed out the wagerCredit: CBSMicah Richards was not wearing a Real Madrid shirt in the studioCredit: CBSAfter the game, the midfielder spoke to CBS Sports to reflect on the result.When it was put to him that pundit Richards, a former City player, might be upset with the result, Bellingham beamed.He then said of Richards: “He’s still meant to be wearing the Madrid shirt after the little wager we had so I’m disappointed not to see that.”Hopefully we’ll see it for the semi-final.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPundits on CBS have previously worn shirts of rival teams after losing wagers.Jamie Carragher and Richards have both worn Arsenal shirts on the show.Although Manchester United fan Kate Abdo has refused to wear another team’s colours.While doing his media rounds, Bellingham also spoke to the TNT Sports crew.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERJamie Carragher previously wore an Arsenal shirt on CBSCredit: CBS SportsHe chatted with host Laura Woods and pundits Joleon Lescott and Rio Ferdinand – with the latter extremely impressed by his maturity.So enamoured was Ferdinand, he joked that Bellingham is the sort of person you’d want your daughter to bring home.How Jude Bellingham is key to England winning Euro 2024While speaking to TNT, the former Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham ace spoke of his pride at playing in front of his family on home soil.He said: “It is incredible. Moments like this are magic and it just comes down to mentality.”When you get those details right and you get those little moments, like the penalties, when the lads keep their cool, it is magic. This was beautiful.”My brother is here today and it is the first time he has been able to see me playing for Madrid. I feel really proud about that.”Bellingham then gave an insight into how veteran boss Carlo Ancelotti motivates his stars.He added: “One of our biggest strengths is that we’re so off the cuff.”As a man he just fills you with calmness and confidence.”Before the game, I caught him yawning and I said to him ‘boss are you tired?’READ MORE SUN STORIES”He went ‘yeah you need to go and excite me out there’.”That’s the sort of confidence and calmness he brings.”Bellingham impressed Rio FerdinandCredit: X @rioferdy5 More

MANCHESTER CITY fans were to blame for Bernardo Silva’s penalty miss against Real Madrid according to former England stars Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott.Pep Guardiola’s side crashed out of the Champions League following a 4-3 defeat on penalties to Los Blancos on Wednesday.Bernardo Silva’s penalty was easily saved by Andriy LuninCredit: GettySilva was made to wait for 40 seconds before taking his penaltyCredit: X/footballontntBernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic both missed spot-kicks for City at the Etihad Stadium.Silva’s attempt was deemed particularly bad, with some fans even branding it the “worst penalty” they had ever seen.However, Ferdinand and Lescott believed the City fans behind the goal were to blame for his botched effort.Speaking on TNT Sports, ex-Man City star Lescott claimed the home supporters held onto the ball for too long after Luka Modric fired his shot into the stands.Read More on FootballHe said: “That would have just took him out of sync and out of his rhythm.”You can practice the routine, the technique, the walk up potentially, this is something you don’t prepare for, the ball being in the crowd.”Ferdinand chimed in: “40 seconds by the way Joleon,” before Lescott continued: “That is a long time. It may not seem that long but it’s a very long time when you are waiting there and you are thinking, now do I change position?”Now do I change where I go? And all of a sudden, it’s a soft penalty.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSManchester United legend Ferdinand went on to say: “It’s a shame though as well, because it is the home fans that are delaying that penalty kick which is a shame.”Fans on social media were also convinced the Man City supporters were to blame for Silva’s miss.Real Madrid stars hailed for classy gesture as they train at Man City ahead of huge Champions League clashOne person took to X to write: “City fans not giving the ball back to Bernardo Silva will go down in history – if football fans did own goals.”Another commented: “How must the Man City fan who kept hold of the ball before Bernardo Silva’s penalty be feeling now.”While a third wrote: “City fans screwed themselves over holding onto the ball as long as they did before Bernardo Silva’s pen!”The Champions League quarter-final clash went to penalties with the score at 4-4 on aggregate after extra time.Speaking after the match, Guardiola said: “It is what is – sometimes you win on penalties and sometimes not. We should have done it before – for how we played.”I absolutely don’t have any regrets – we did everything offensively and defensively.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Football is about scoring goals and they did it a little bit better than us from the penalty spot. They are in the semi-finals and we are not.”I have to say from my heart, thank you to my players.” More

EAGLE-EYED fans have spotted how two former Chelsea stars helped Real Madrid to penalty shoot-out success over Manchester City.Carlo Ancelotti’s side knocked out the Champions League holders 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.Real Madrid celebrate their spot kick successCredit: GettyHolders Man City were dumped out at homeCredit: PACity had gotten off to a great start in the shoot-out, with Ederson saving Luka Modric’s penalty.But saves from Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic by Andriy Lunin saw City crash out.Chelsea have not been in Europe this season, following a disastrous campaign last time out.But some Blues supporters noticed that two of their old boys helped Real Madrid to spot kicks success.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAhead of the shoot-out, Kepa Arrizabalaga, on loan from Chelsea, could be seen giving Lunin advice.The Spaniard has always fancied himself as something of a penalties specialist, having infamously refused to go off during the 2019 Carabao Cup final.Thomas Tuchel always trusted Kepa in shoot-outs, even bringing him on as a 119th minute substitute to win the 2021 Uefa Super Cup with Chelsea.It backfired in the 2022 Carabao Cup final, however, when Kepa failed to save any of Liverpool’s 11 penalties, before whacking his own over the bar.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERKepa Arrizabalaga was spotted chatting with Andriy LuninCredit: TNT SportsAntonio Rudiger pointed out which way Mateo Kovacic would goCredit: TNT SportsLunin saved from Kovacic and Bernardo SilvaCredit: EPAWhatever he said on this occasion appeared to do the trick, with Lunin the hero.Kepa’s former Chelsea team-mate Antonio Rudiger also had a part to play.Haaland slapped by referee during Man City’s clash with Real MadridAs fellow Chelsea old boy Kovacic stepped up to take his kick, Rudiger could be seen pointing which way the Croatian would go.Silva’s tame spot kick down the middle was labelled the “worst penalty ever” online.After the triumph, modest Lunin explained his success.The Ukrainian, 25, said: “I needed to take a risk with one of the kicks, we picked one (to stay in the middle) and thank goodness it worked out in our favour.”It’s an away Champions League game and we went through a lot of suffering… but I’m very grateful to the team for everything they’ve fought for.”I can’t imagine myself running like my team-mates did today.”He also told Marca: “We prepared it with the goalkeeping coach and there were three players with whom we had doubts about whether to stay in the middle or not.”Lunin, 25, was the hero at the EtihadCredit: Getty More

BUKAYO SAKA has been slammed by Martin Keown for his mistake late on that “summed up” Arsenal’s performance against Bayern Munich.Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League quarter-final after falling to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.Martin Keown took aim at Arsenal’s lack of know-howCredit: TNT SportsHe also criticised Bukayo Saka’s decision-makingCredit: GettyThe 3-2 aggregate defeat shows how tight the tie was and former Gunners star Keown bemoaned Arsenal’s lack of urgency.He also highlighted a lack of know-how and pointed to Saka’s decision to take a quick free-kick in the dying seconds when Arsenal had an opportunity to take a shot at goal.Keown said on BT Sport: “It was very disappointing, kind of summed up at the end there when Saka for some reason taking a free-kick [short] when there was the opportunity to really test the goalkeeper.”You just saw that little bit of lack of experience. There needs to be more urgency in the closing exchanges. Saka made that decision in the moment.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I admire that as well. But I think he might have been better taking that delivery from the free kick and it might have been a wonder goal.”You wanted to see the ball going in the box. That urgency wasn’t there and I think that’s a lack of experience, of being in those major games, and knowing what to do in those critical moments.”Arsenal mustered just eight shots against Bayern and only three on target, with Martin Odegaard’s long-range strike that was tipped onto the post the closest they came to scoring.Keown felt they did not do enough to win the match and the tie, suggesting Bayern were much more direct with their play.Most read in Champions LeagueArsenal had just three shots on targetBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe added: “No real urgency in those closing stages. Hugely disappointing. Just feel as though we didn’t really lay a glove on them in this second tie. “It was there if we wanted it, as Owen [Hargreaves] said, and Bayern came out with the resolve, direct, and posed much more of a threat than Arsenal did. Look at that, sums it up doesn’t it, the last action of the game.Arsenal’s title chances are ‘100% gone’ according to club legend who savages ‘lazy’ Gunners after Aston Villa shocker”It was just such a flat performance, even at the end there, the ball, get it in the box, get it in there, try and affect, and they didn’t seem prepared to do that. You don’t deserve to go through if you play a performance like that tonight.”Thomas Tuchel’s genius tactical tweak against ArsenalFANS hailed Thomas Tuchel’s tactical tweak that “took Bukayo Saka out of the game” in their Champions League victory against Arsenal.
With regular full-back Alphonso Davies suspended, Tuchel deployed TWO full backs in his place in the shape of Noussair Mazraoui and Raphael Guerreiro.
The duo doubled up on Saka, with Mazraoui at left-back and Guerreiro playing higher up, offering him protection from midfield.
And the plan could not have worked out any better with Saka almost totally nullified.
One fan noted: “Thomas Tuchel with a tactical masterclass today starting two full-backs on the left wing to keep Bukayo Saka locked down.
“Through 75 minutes, Saka has 0 shots and 0 chances created. Just 19 accurate passes & 32 total touches…”
Tuchel himself explained: “You have to defend a lot on that side. Arsenal’s right side is where most attacks usually start. That’s their danger side. That’s why we chose Rafa (Guerreiro).”
Read more on Tuchel’s genius here. More