Thomas Tuchel has insisted that he had to replace Harry Kane against Real Madrid because he was injured.
The Bayern Munich coach was criticized for his decision to dismiss Kane in place of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting after 85 minutes of the Champions League semi-final.
Bayern were 1-0 up at the time but capitulated, Joselu scoring two goals in three minutes to eliminate them 4-3 on aggregate, and Tuchel receiving criticism for the change.
Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes ridiculed the decision and suggested it would cost them the match, but Tuchel has now explained why his 44-goal forward had to come off.
‘Kane was having back problems. It was no longer possible,” Tuchel told TNT Sports.
Thomas Tuchel said he had to take Harry Kane off because he had an injured back
Bayern were leading 1-0 when Kane was taken off, but Joselu scored two late goals for Real Madrid.
‘We started with four forwards and all four had to leave due to injury or cramp. The first four said they had to go.
‘Hurts. It will take us a while to recover, but on the one hand it is a defeat in which we left everything on the field.
‘Of course, it’s hard to accept. It is part of reality. No regrets. But on the other hand, there were too many injuries, too many substitutions, too many cramps.
More to follow.
