Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel explained his decision to take off Harry Kane with six minutes remaining of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid, saying the injured England captain “could not continue”.
Bayern were 1-0 up and had one foot in the final when Tuchel replaced Harry Kane with back-up striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
German-born Madrid striker Joselu levelled the match just four minutes later and scored again in the second minute of injury time as the home side took the lead on the night, winning 2-1 and 4-3 on aggregate.
Jamal Musiala was also taken off with Tuchel bringing on Bayern veteran Thomas Mueller.
Harry Kane’s substitution appeared to change the momentum of the match with Bayern in control but Tuchel told broadcaster DAZN the striker was unable to continue.
“He couldn’t keep going. He played with back pain and he couldn’t keep going, his back froze up,” said Tuchel.
The loss means Harry Kane’s long wait for a trophy continues, with the 30-year-old striker still yet to lift silverware in his club career.
‘Absolute disaster’
Thomas Tuchel slammed a late offside call, calling the decision an “absolute disaster” as Real Madrid eliminated his side in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.
With Real 2-1 up having come from behind with two late goals, Joshua Kimmich put in a long pass which was headed centrally by Thomas Mueller for defender Matthijs de Ligt to score in the 12th minute of stoppage time.
Real, who drew the Munich tie 2-2, went through 4-3 on aggregate.
