Harry Kane’s ‘cursed’ season – from Bayern’s cup shock to European controversy
Harry Kane might just be cursed in his quest for a trophy.
Kane, 30, has yet to win any honours in his playing career – and that drought will now continue until at least the summer. The Englishman swapped Tottenham for Bayern Munich last summer, a team who hadn’t gone trophyless in over a decade.
In the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen simply refused to lose – running the gauntlet unbeaten (so far) to become the first team to pip Bayern to the post since the 11/12 season.
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Leverkusen, a team who had never conquered Germany, have hit a golden vein of form, that’s almost once in a generation, since Kane rocked up in Bavaria.
The cup competitions haven’t gone much better – Bayern were beaten by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup. And German football was stunned back in November when a 96th minute winner saw third-tier FC Saarbrucken dump Bayern out of the DFB-Pokal.
What do you think of Harry Kane going the season trophyless? Let us know in the comments section
(Image: Getty Images)
Wednesday night was the latest blow in Kane’s trophy hunt, as Bayern were the latest side to fall on their sword at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bayern had been the better side when Alphonso Davies whipped the ball past an outstretched Andriy Lunin. However, strange things happen on European nights in Madrid – and ex-Stoke City striker Joselu bagged a brace to spin the tie on its head.
The Bavarian giants had one last chance and, in the 12th minute of added time, the ball was launched into the Madrid box and headed down to centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.
(Image: Alberto Gardin/IPA Sport/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock)
De Ligt lashed the ball into the back of the net, but seconds beforehand the whistle was blown after the offside flag had been raised.
Bayern players were furious, with Thomas Tuchel barking at the fourth official while the players argued with the linesman. And tensions only continued to rise as replays showed the offside decision looked to an incredibly close call.
In this situation, VAR would normally intervene. However, as the referee blew his whistle before De Ligt scored, the play couldn’t be reviewed.
(Image: TNT Sports)
Tuchel said after the game: “We scored one and there was a disastrous decision from the linesman and the referee. It feels like a betrayal in the end.
“The linesman says sorry but that does not help. To raise the flag in a moment like this… The referee sees we get the second ball and we get the shot – it’s a very, very bad decision. It’s against the rules. It’s a disaster. It’s hard to swallow but that’s the way it is.”
While a disappointed De Ligt told Movistar: “I don’t want to say that Real Madrid always has the referees with them but that made the difference today. Real, when you think they are dead, have a last breath… that is why they have 14 Champions Leagues.”
(Image: Alberto Gardin/IPA Sport/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock)
He later added: “The linesman told me: sorry, I made a mistake.”
Kane’s wait for a trophy won’t have to wait the full 12 months, with Kane set to be part of the England squad that travels to France for Euro 2024.
The Bayern man was part of the Three Lions side that fell at the final hurdle at Wembley three years ago.
