Henrikh Mkhitaryan has hit back after Harry Kane claimed Inter over-celebrated their first-leg Champions League victory over Bayern Munich last week.
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Kane claimed Inter over-celebrated first leg winMkhitaryan hits back ahead of reverse tie Serie A side lead Bayern 2-1Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Inter won 2-1 at the Allianz Arena to move into the driving seat in the quarter-final, with Kane claiming after the game their players had "celebrated like they won the tie". Mkhitaryan disagrees, claiming "it was not a massive celebration" and that "we want to stay focused" ahead of Wednesday's second leg.
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Mkhitaryan said: "Everyone is free to say what they want. We know what we did, we know we were just happy after the first game. It was not a massive celebration. We want to stay focused on our match, on our game, and nothing else. Because there are a lot of people who talk off the field, outside the club, and we try not to hear or listen to any of that."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Asked again about Inter's celebrations in the build-up to Wednesday's game at San Siro, Kane added: "Maybe it was just in the moment then and the emotions after of the game, maybe it felt like that a little bit. I'm sure if we win tomorrow and go through, there would be a celebration for us. It's football, it is what it is." Davide Frattesi, who scored the winner in Munich, was booked for ripping his shirt off in celebration, before the scenes of jubilation continued after full-time.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR INTER AND BAYERN?
The tie is nicely poised ahead of Wednesday's return leg, with Inter aiming to qualify for their second Champions League semi-final in three seasons and Bayern seeking back-to-back final-four appearances. Barcelona await the winner of the tie.