Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has defended his decision to start Harry Kane ahead of Lucas Moura in the Champions League final.
Having netted a hat-trick to fire Spurs past Ajax in the semi-finals, Moura was dropped to the bench as Harry Kane – who had returned to fitness just in time for the Madrid showpiece – took his place.
Kane had little impact in the final third for the North London club on Saturday evening, but speaking to Sky Sports News, Pochettino insisted that he made the right decision, saying: “This wasn’t a drama, it was a decision. For me Harry Kane, after one month and a half, he finished the game fresh.
“He didn’t score but my decision I promise was very analytical, with all the information. I have no regrets.”
OPINION
It was a tough one for Moura to take, but his form showed when he came on in the second half. Kane did not have a sniff in the first half and was poor when he got one or two chances in the second period. Moura, however, came on as a substitute and looked sharp. In fact, he arguably had Spurs’ best chance of the game when his tame shot was saved by Alisson. Other than that, Tottenham did not have many chances and despite Liverpool being largely the same, they took their opportunities when they came and that was the difference in the end. It would have been interesting to see the impact Moura would have had if he had started the game, because based on his form going into the match, you would have to say he deserved the start more than Kane. But in the end, it wasn’t to be for Moura and Kane, and it wasn’t to be for Spurs.