Harry Kane described Bayern Munich’s defending in their 5-4 Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to PSG as “excellent”, but Wayne Rooney disagreed.
The nine-goal thriller was the first time both teams had scored more than four goals in a European semi-final match.
Kane, who scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, declared on Amazon Prime at Full Time: “Despite the nine goals, there was some great defending.
“We have the best players in the world, the best attackers, the best defenders. Of course, sometimes the attackers come out on top and show their quality.
“When you go back and see the centre-halves playing in midfield, sometimes attacking, out wide against the wingers, it’s a credit to them. It’s a really tough job. I thought they were outstanding.”
Harry Kane scores Bayern Munich’s first goal from the penalty spot
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany questioned those complaining about the number of goals scored, but agreed with Kane’s opinion that the defense was “good”. But Rooney saw it differently.
He told Amazon Prime: “I love Harry Kane, everyone can see that from what I say about him. But there’s no way he would praise the defenders.”
“Probably because they’re his teammates. He’s trying to give them a little bit of confidence going into next week. The defense on both teams was really bad, if he’s being honest.”
“Both teams have so much quality at the top end of the pitch that we probably forgot to defend. That means we can enjoy some great goals.”
PSG’s Joao Neves won 2-1.
“But what better players do is find breakthroughs. When you play against top attackers, you have to adapt.
“I can’t hear the defenders communicating anymore. I could often hear Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher shouting at the defenders. It used to be frustrating, but that’s what brought his full-back back.”
“We don’t have that level of communication right now. That’s a result of the coaching.”
The former England captain said: “It was a crazy, chaotic game.
“Luis Enrique is a top coach, so when we got a 5-on-2 advantage, I think he should have said, ‘Shut up and get behind the ball.’
“But they want more goals and Vincent Kompany has created a very attack-minded (Bayern) team.
“We saw some inexperienced defense, which is crazy.”
Kara: Almost impossible to stop the goal.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher praised the attacking display in the highest-scoring semi-final match in European Cup history.
“Normally when you watch a game like that, you’d say, ‘We’re not defending well enough,’ or ‘We’re not up to the standard of football at this level,'” he told CBS Sports.
“But what I want to say is that every attacking player on the pitch was 8 or 9 out of 10. Every attacking player was better than the other player.”
Ousmane Dembele scores PSG’s fifth goal
“When I think back to the goal, it wasn’t like the goalkeeper was barking or there was some stupid defending, it just felt like a great goal.
“The defenders weren’t making fun of themselves. The attacking play was very high and it was almost impossible to stop them from scoring.”
Henry: The risk paid off.
The goal fest at the Parc des Princes means that PSG (43 goals) and Bayern Munich (42 goals) have both scored more than 40 goals in the Champions League this season.
Reacting to CBS Sports, coach Thierry Henry added: “We have often talked about a team that does not take enough risks. We are talking more about a team that does not lose than it is about winning games.”
“We had a lot of risks tonight. If we’re wearing our hard hats, we might get carried away by what we saw tonight.
Dayot Upamecano converts from set piece
“But I don’t care. People keep complaining that football is boring. That game wasn’t boring. It was just crazy at times.”
This is why soccer fans love the beautiful game
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop:
“Tonight was a reminder of how beautiful football can be when it is played at its most free, at a time when some might argue that football has become formulaic due to tactics and systems.”
“Watching tonight’s match reminded me of my first memory of falling in love with football, which coincidentally was also the Champions League semi-final first leg in 2007 when Manchester United played AC Milan at Old Trafford.
“Milan’s second goal came when Kaka displayed incredible skill, colliding Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze, and then sprawling on the deck. He then showed perfect composure to slot past Edwin van der Sar.”
“It was poetry in motion, something that has sometimes been removed from the modern game, but tonight there were so many breathtaking moments.
“It leads to a festival of goals and that should be celebrated. Of course the goalkeepers and defenders won’t be happy, but ask anyone else, they’d be better off seeing a spectacle like this every week.”
“This is a beautiful game, summed up in its purest form throughout the 90 minutes. And there are still at least 90 more points left in this draw.”
Best tie in CL history? What you had to say
After the match, Sky Sports asked fans to share their thoughts on the Paris madness, with many calling it one of the best matches they had ever seen.
Mark: This is how football should be played, fast, interesting and end-to-end. This was a throwback to the old days and nothing like modern day boring football.
Scott B: I feel sorry for anyone who missed that game. It’s a great day to be neutral, and that’s football!
Joe: Not only was that the best Champions League semi-final ever, but I’ve been watching football for years. And I think this is one of the best games of all time.
Andrew: This game has levels. This match proved that all English clubs have room to catch up. It was sensational.
Mikey: I’m an Arsenal fan, but the players who come out on top from a tie have no hope of making it to the final!
