JUVE GOT A DREAM

Kane admits he got a kicking in his first clash with Italian hardman Chiellini ..but it’s not stopped his hopes of lifting the Champions League trophy

HARRY KANE has already visualised lifting the Champions League trophy – even if a painful memory stands in the way of glory.

Kane will tonight come faceto-face with Juventus hardman Giorgio Chiellini who he describes as his toughest opponent after being given a welcome to international football he will never forget.

That was on March 31, 2015, when Kane made his full England debut and since then has gone from wide-eyed rookie to one of the world’s best strikers who is dreaming of winning the European Cup.

Kane uses visualisation techniques a lot to strengthen his belief and admits he has pictured himself lifting the Champions League trophy.

“Of course,” he admitted. “Which footballer hasn’t?

“I like to visualise a lot. It’s about being positive. It’s a big stage, where I want to be playing. There will be millions watching. I’m on good form, we’re in good form as a team.

“I will visualise myself scoring and hopefully it will come true. But we’ve still got a long way to go – two very tough games coming up. We’ve just got to believe.”

Kane has faced Chiellini twice, the first time on his England debut in a 1-1 draw with Italy in the same stadium they will play in tonight. The second time was in a friendly at Wembley when he scored as Tottenham beat Juventus 2-0.

But it is the first game that is etched in Kane’s memory as Chiellini (with Kane, right) laid down a marker and the Tottenham striker admitted it is one of the many reasons he regards the 33-year-old defender as the best he has come up against.

Kane said: “I was a young player coming through, doing really well. He was a great defender, very experienced. It was my first touch. He wiped me out, gave me a dead leg for about 10 minutes.

“It was kind of a welcome to international football. He’s a great defender and I’m looking forward to going up against him again.

“Italians are well known for being heart-on-the-sleeve, putting their bodies on the line. They have that reputation for being some of the best defenders in the world.

“I know it’s going to be a tough, physical game. I’ve been asked the question who is the toughest a few times and I’ve said Chiellini. He is very experienced. He uses his body well and his positioning well.

“When you try to make runs, he knows when to step across you. He knows when to give you a little nudge to put you off balance.

“He knows when to come tight and get up your backside and also when to drop off, as well. It’s the experienced defenders that are the most difficult because they know where to be at the right times and you’ve got to find a way to get around that.”

It will be a daunting test for Tottenham as

Juventus have conceded just one goal in their last 16 games – winning

14 and being held to goalless draws by Inter Milan and Barcelona in that run – but

Kane said

Spurs will not be intimidated, adding:

“When we are playing at our best, we can beat anyone.”