Kane praises 'amazing defending' in nine-goal CL classic - but Rooney disagrees

Wayne Rooney has disagreed with Harry Kane’s claim that there was “amazing defending” during Bayern Munich’s 5-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain; Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry praised the attacking quality and risk taking

Wednesday 29 April 2026 00:06, UK

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Harry Kane labelled the defending in Bayern Munich's 5-4 Champions League semi-final first leg defeat at PSG as "amazing" - but Wayne Rooney disagreed.

The nine-goal thriller was the first time in a European semi-final match that both teams scored four or more goals.

Kane, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot, declared at full-time on Amazon Prime: "Even though there was nine goals scored, there was some amazing defending out there.

"You've got the best players in the world. The best attackers, the best defenders. Of course, sometimes the attackers are going to come out on top and show their quality.

"When you go back and look at the centre-halves playing in midfield, in attack sometimes, out wide against the wingers, credit to them. It's a really hard job. I thought they were outstanding."

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany questioned those unhappy with the amount of goals scored, while also agreeing with Kane that the defending was 'good.' But Rooney had a different view.

He told Amazon Prime: "I love Harry Kane. Everyone can see that on the words I say about him. But, there's no way he can be praising his defenders.

"Maybe because they are his team-mates. He's trying to give them a bit of confidence for next week. The defending from both teams was really bad. If he's being honest.

"Both teams have so much quality at the top end of the pitch that they probably forgot to defend. That means we get to enjoy some great goals.

"But, what the better players do is find a way through. When you're playing against top attackers, you need to adapt.

"You don't hear defenders communicating anymore. You used to hear Jamie Carragher screaming at his defenders for Liverpool. It used to annoy me, but it got his full-backs back in.

"You don't get that level of communication now. That's as a result of the coaching."

The ex-England captain added: "It was a crazy and chaotic game.

"Luis Enrique is a top coach so when they get the advantage of 5-2, I think he should have said 'let's shut up shop and get behind the ball'.

"But they went for more goals and Vincent Kompany has got a very attack-minded [Bayern] team.

"We saw some immature defending, which is crazy."

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher lauded the attacking play in the joint-highest scoring semi-final match in European Cup history.

He told CBS Sports: "Normally when I see a game like that I'll say 'the defending is not good enough' or 'it is not up to the standard of this level of football'.

"But what I would say is: Every attacking player on the pitch was an eight or nine out of 10. Every attacking player got the better of their counterpart.

"When I remember the goals, it wasn't like there was a goalkeeper howler or something stupid defensively, it felt like the goals were just great goals.

"It wasn't like defenders made a fool of themselves. The attacking play was that high it was almost impossible to stop the goals."

The goal-fest at the Parc des Princes means PSG (43) and Bayern Munich (42) have both scored more than 40 goals in the Champions League this season.

Reacting on CBS Sports, Thierry Henry added: "We've been talking a lot about teams who don't take enough risks. We talk about teams not losing the game rather than winning it.

"Tonight we had plenty of risk. If we have our defensive hats on you might go crazy with what you saw tonight.

"But I don't care. People have been complaining football is boring. That game was not boring. It was just crazy at times."

Analysis by Sky Sports' Callum Bishop:

"Tonight has acted as a reminder of how beautiful football can be when played in its most freeflowing state. At a time where some may argue that tactics and systems have made it become formulaic.

"Watching the game tonight reminded me of the first memory I ever had falling in love with football. It just so happened to also be a Champions League semi-final first leg when Manchester United faced AC Milan at Old Trafford in 2007.

"Milan's second goal came when Kaka produced an outrageous piece of skill to send Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze crashing into each other and sprawled out on the deck. He then showed immaculate composure to slot past Edwin van der Sar.

"It was poetry in motion, something that has at times been stripped from the modern game. But tonight, there were so many of those moments that just took your breath away.

"It leads to a goal fest, and that should be celebrated. Sure, goalkeepers and defenders won't be happy, but ask anyone else and they would rather see spectacles like this every week.

"This is the beautiful game summed up in its purist form across 90 minutes. And we still have at least another 90 to go in this tie."

Following the end of the game, Sky Sports invited fans to share their thoughts on the madness in Paris, with many labelling as one of the best contests they had ever witnessed.

Mark: This is how football should be played, fast, entertaining, end to end. This was a throwback to yesteryear and nothing like modern boring football.

Scott B: Feel sorry for anyone who missed that game. Great day to be a neutral, that's what football is about!

Joe: Not only was that the greatest champions league semi-final ever, I've been watching football for many, many years. And I think that's one of the best games ever.

Andrew: There are levels to this game. This game has proven to all English clubs that they've got some catching up to do. That was sensational.

Mikey: I am an Arsenal fan, but whoever goes through from our tie has no hope in the final!

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