China Daily

Harry happy to see Bayern bounce back

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Harry Kane said Bayern Munich had to show a reaction after the collapse of its Bundesliga title defense as it held Arsenal 2-2 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfin­al on Tuesday.

Bayern has lost its last two Bundesliga games to leave Bayer Leverkusen on the brink of its first-ever top-flight title.

The Bavarian giant has won the German title for the last 11 years and Kane admitted his team’s league form has put more pressure on it to succeed in Europe.

“You saw a really determined team tonight. It was probably the perfect game to have because we needed a reaction from the last few games in the Bundesliga,” Kane told TNT Sports.

“We had to become more of a team if you want to be successful in this competitio­n.”

Bayern’s poor form has already assured that coach Thomas Tuchel will leave the club at the end of the season.

But Kane insisted Tuchel — who won the Champions League as Chelsea boss in 2021 — is determined to leave on a high.

“It’s a little bit strange,” added Kane on Tuchel’s impending departure.

“We all have huge respect for the boss and we all want to end his time here on a high.

“He’s not giving up at all, he wants to achieve something special with this team.”

The Gunners sit top of the Premier League with seven games to go as they aim for a first title in 20 years.

However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta acknowledg­ed his side failed to match its usual standards and let Bayern back into the game.

“A lot of things today we haven’t done them to the standards we normally do,” said the Spaniard.

“We allowed them spaces to run and they are very dangerous.

“Even 2-1 (down) the team tried to find the rhythm, didn’t rush things and the changes made a big difference.”

In contrast to Bayern’s vast experience at this stage of the competitio­n, Arsenal is in the last eight for the first time in 14 years.

But Arteta retains belief his side can shock the host at the Allianz Arena on April 17.

“Look at the players they have, the experience they have, you get punished, but that’s part of football,” he added.

“I have a lot of belief we can go there and beat them. We have to prepare really well.”

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