Champions League Magical Bayern evening: Kane wants to “keep the season alive”
Harry Kane wants to continue his European journey with Bayern. photo
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
No championship trophy, no DFB Cup – Bayern’s season is ruined. Objection, say striker Kane and coach Tuchel. Progress against Arsenal could mark a turning point.
Harry Kane doesn’t even let the evil thoughts of a Champions League knockout on the penultimate step to the dream destination of Wembley get to him. “Think positive” is the Englishman’s approach before the Arsenal clash. The 100 million euro striker had to come to terms with the lost championship and the early DFB Cup exit in his first year at FC Bayern.
After his entire professional career at Tottenham Hotspur, he moved from London to Munich last summer specifically to finally win titles and trophies with the German record champions. And that’s why in Kane’s mind, failure in the quarter-final second leg on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN) against Arsenal FC is something that simply shouldn’t happen. “Every player, every club wants to win titles,” said the 30-year-old in the Allianz Arena and added: “We have a great opportunity in front of our home crowd and want to keep the season alive.”
“We can still turn the season into a good one”
Kane even believes that this messed up year for Bayern could even have a rousing happy ending with the long-decided separation from coach Thomas Tuchel that outshines many things. “We can still turn the season into a good one if we win the Champions League,” said the goalscorer. Kane verbally gave the leader a good 30 hours before kick-off: “We are ready! We have a lot of belief in ourselves!”
Big Champions League evenings are not an everyday occurrence in the Bundesliga. In the premier class this season, Bayern have always delivered when they had to. And in the most important club competition, special experience counts, such as the one Thomas Müller has in abundance before his 150th premier class appearance. “We have an advantage in experience,” said Tuchel, who summarized the starting position after the 2-2 draw in the first leg in London in one sentence: “The winner goes on, the loser goes out!” And that is if there is another tie after 90 minutes either in extra time or in a penalty shootout.
Neuer can play, and so can Sané
For the club, for the players and also for Tuchel, it’s everything. Bayern have ended in the quarter-finals three times since their last premier class title in 2020. It is still possible that Tuchel will leave Munich as a brilliant winner in the summer. “A Champions League victory sweetens every club’s season,” the 50-year-old remarked thoughtfully on Tuesday. First of all, it’s about getting into the giant semi-finals against defending champions Manchester City or Real Madrid. The final follows on June 1st at London’s Wembley Stadium, where Bayern triumphed against Borussia Dortmund in 2013.
After the bitter injuries to first-leg goalscorer Serge Gnabry and wing colleague Kingsley Coman, Tuchel was at least able to announce good news before the final training session with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and offensive ace Leroy Sané. “Manu can play, Leroy can play and has to grit his teeth. Leroy drags himself through the season in pain for the team.” In London he was Bavaria’s best.
Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer will again play in the defensive midfield because youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic is lacking rhythm after a long break from playing. Tuchel only left open who would defend on the left for the suspended Alphonso Davies against the fast Bukayo Saka, Noussair Mazraoui or the much fitter-looking Raphael Guerreiro.
Tuchel’s appeal to the fans: “We need those extra percentages”
Tuchel and Kane addressed the possible key factors in the press conference. “We need everything again. The same dedication, passion, effort and tactical discipline,” he said, referring to the first leg experience. Kane called it “very good defense” and “a united team performance.”
And both campaigned energetically for support from the stands. “We play with the energy of our fans,” said Kane. Tuchel wants “a unique atmosphere, especially in our personnel situation. We need these extra percent!”
Arsenal with Odegaard and Saka
Coach Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team around national player Kai Havertz will be able to compete with the ailing Martin Ödgaard and Saka. “We know that there are dangers threatening us,” said Arsenal expert Kane.
Of course, he is the biggest threat that Arsenal knows from many previous duels with Tottenham. Kane has scored 15 goals in 20 competitive games including the penalty goal against the Gunners a week ago (and 39 in 39 competitive games for Bayern). “I have a certain history against Arsenal. And I always expect a lot from myself,” said Kane with a smile on Tuesday.
dpa
#Subjects
