„It wasn’t clever“: Effenberg criticizes Bayern after fuss over Kane penalty | OneFootball

Harry Kane’s missed penalty against Wolfsburg continues to spark debate, but Stefan Effenberg doesn’t just blame the opposition

The soccer world continues to be preoccupied with the penalty kick scare in FC Bayern’s Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg. After Wolfsburg professional Jeanuel Belocian had worked the penalty spot with his studs shortly before Harry Kane’s spot kick, the normally so confident Englishman put the ball well wide of the goal

For Stefan Effenberg, however, the responsibility did not lie solely with the Wolfsburg defender. On SPORT1 ’s „Doppelpass“, the former Bayern captain also criticized the Munich players themselves

„It wasn’t clever on Bayern’s part,“ explained Effenberg. „Normally, you always put one or two players there to protect the penalty spot. Or the player who takes the penalty himself checks and double-checks everything.“

Effenberg: „It’s our own fault“

Effenberg’s comments were similar to those of Vincent Kompany, who had also suggested after the match that his team should have done better to protect the situation

„I think if it had happened against Paris on Wednesday, we would have had two or three players on the penalty spot,“ Kompany said on Sky

The Belgian also showed understanding for Belocian’s action, as Wolfsburg are fighting for every point in the relegation battle

Tom Bischof, on the other hand, was much more critical, speaking of a lack of fair play after the game

However, Effenberg did not want to dramatize the scene as a whole: „I wouldn’t say it was grossly unsportsmanlike, it was unsportsmanlike, but my … it’s my own fault,“ said the 56-year-old

Funkel also shows understanding

Effenberg also received support from Friedhelm Funkel in the Doppelpass. The experienced coach explained: „I think that’s clever.“

photo: IMAGO

Although Funkel also admitted that the action was „naturally associated with a tendency towards unsportsmanlike conduct“, he also reminded the audience that such tricks are nothing new in soccer

„I can remember doing that in the past,“ said the 71-year-old with a grin

Kane’s missed penalty ultimately made no difference to Bayern’s victory against Wolfsburg – but the scene still provides plenty to talk about.