Harry Kane praised what he described as "incredible" defensive performances during Bayern Munich's 5‑4 loss to Paris Saint‑Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi‑final, even though the match produced a staggering nine goals. The encounter marked the first time a European semi‑final saw both sides register four or more goals each, turning the game into an instant classic. Kane, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot, summed up his thoughts at the post‑match interview on Amazon Prime.
He said, "Even though we saw nine goals, there was some amazing defending out there. You have the best players in the world – the best attackers, the best defenders. Of course, sometimes the attackers will dominate and show their quality, but when you look back at the centre‑backs operating in midfield, stepping into attack, or tracking back against wingers, you have to give them credit.
It's a really tough job and I thought they were outstanding." Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, who has faced criticism for allowing such a high‑scoring affair, echoed Kane's sentiment that the defensive work was commendable, despite the goal flood. He argued that the quality of the players on both sides meant that defensive lapses were inevitable, but the overall defensive structure remained solid. Former England captain Wayne Rooney, however, offered a starkly different perspective.
Speaking to the same Amazon Prime audience, Rooney said, "I love Harry Kane, you can see that in everything I say about him, but there's no way he can honestly be praising his defenders after a game like that. Maybe because they're his teammates and he wants to boost their confidence for the second leg. The defending from both sides was really poor, if you ask me. Both teams have so much attacking talent that they seemed to forget about defending, which gave us a feast of goals." Rooney went on to highlight the lack of communication among modern defenders, contrasting it with the vocal leadership of past greats like Jamie Carragher.
"You used to hear Carragher shouting at his back line to get them back in shape. It annoyed me then, but it worked.
Nowadays you rarely hear that level of communication, and I think that's a result of how coaches are training their squads," he added. The ex‑captain also criticised the tactical approach of both managers. "It was a chaotic, crazy game. Luis Enrique is a top coach, so when PSG were up 5‑2 they should have said 'let's close it down and protect the ball.' Instead they kept pushing for more goals, and Kompany's Bayern are naturally attack‑minded.
The defending was immature, which is unbelievable at this level." Luis Enrique, PSG's manager, gave a candid assessment after the match. He told reporters, "We won, of course we're happy, but after being 5‑2 up you think you could have done even better. I think we deserved the win, but we also deserved a draw, maybe even a loss, given how the game unfolded." Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher praised the attacking spectacle, noting that the semi‑final tied for the highest‑scoring in European Cup history.
In an interview with CBS Sports he said, "Normally after a game like that I'd say the defending wasn't up to standard, but every attacker on the pitch was an eight or nine out of ten. The goals were beautiful, not the result of defensive blunders but of top‑class finishing. When attacking play reaches that level, stopping it becomes almost impossible." The goal‑fest at the Parc des Princes meant both clubs have now scored over 40 goals in this season's Champions League – PSG with 43 and Bayern with 42 – underlining their offensive firepower.
Former French international Thierry Henry also weighed in on CBS Sports, commenting, "We've been hearing a lot about teams playing too safe, trying not to lose rather than to win. Tonight there was plenty of risk. If you prefer defensive football you might find it crazy, but I don't care. People say football is boring; this game was anything but.
It was exhilarating." Sky Sports analyst Callum Bishop provided a broader view of the match's significance. He wrote, "Tonight reminded us how beautiful football can be when it flows freely, especially when some argue that modern tactics have made the game formulaic. Watching this semi‑final took me back to my first love of football – the 2007 Champions League semi‑final when Manchester United faced AC Milan at Old Trafford. Kaka's second goal that night was pure poetry, a piece of skill that left defenders in a tangle before he calmly slotted past Van der Sar.
Tonight we saw countless moments like that, each one taking our breath away." Bishop continued, "A goal‑fest should be celebrated. Goalkeepers and defenders may be unhappy, but most fans would rather see spectacles like this every week. This is football in its purest form, 90 minutes of unbridled excitement, and we still have another 90 minutes to play in the tie." Following the match, Sky Sports invited fans to share their reactions. Many described the encounter as one of the best they have ever witnessed: - Mark: "This is how football should be played – fast, entertaining, end‑to‑end.
It felt like a throw‑back to the days before modern, boring tactics." - Scott B: "Anyone who missed that game missed a historic moment. It was a great day to be a neutral fan – that's what football is about!" - Joe: "Probably the greatest Champions League semi‑final ever. I've watched football for decades and this ranks among the best games I've ever seen." - Andrew: "This game shows English clubs they have a lot of catching up to do.
It was sensational." - Mikey: "I'm an Arsenal fan, but whoever advances from this tie will have no chance in the final!" The match not only provided a thrilling spectacle for fans worldwide but also sparked a lively debate about the balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity in modern football. While Kane and Kompany highlighted the quality of the defensive work amid chaos, Rooney and other critics argued that the defensive standards were simply too low for a semi‑final of this magnitude. Regardless of which side of the argument you sit on, the nine‑goal thriller will be remembered as a landmark moment in Champions League history, showcasing both the joy of attacking football and the ongoing conversation about how best to defend against such relentless offense.