‘This is why I came here’ – Harry Kane speaks on impressive performances at Bayern
Harry Kane continues his remarkable scoring streak, now seeking his first major career trophy.
The England captain scored his 43rd goal in as many games this season as Bayern secured a 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Despite personal success in his first season at Bayern, it would be disappointing for Kane not to complement his goal-scoring achievements with some much-desired silverware.
With Bayer Leverkusen already breaking Bayern’s streak of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles this season, could this be the year Kane finally lifts a major trophy by winning the Champions League?
“It’s been a good season so far,” said Kane, who joined Bayern from Tottenham for an initial £86.4m last summer.
“Everything we’re fighting for this year is in this competition. It’ll be tough. We have to go [to the Bernabeu for the second leg] with full belief.
“I’m here for many years. It’s not a one-off year I’m here for. Of course at the start of the season the expectation was to win trophies. The Champions League is the biggest one. If we can somehow get our hands on that one, it would be an amazing season.
“These are the big games. The atmosphere was incredible. This is exactly why I came here, I want to be playing in these big games, these big moments.”
‘He has blown everybody away’
Harry Kane’s penalty in the second half at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening elevated him to tie with Kylian Mbappe for the most goals scored in all competitions among Europe’s top five leagues this season.
He leads these leagues with the highest total of combined goals and assists (43 goals and 11 assists).
The Bayern striker has also contributed to 11 Champions League goals this season (eight goals, three assists), the highest tally by an English player in a single season of the competition.
Former Bayern Munich and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves commented to TNT Sports, “Everyone has obviously been impressed by all the goals that Harry Kane has scored at Bayern Munich.”
“But they have also been impressed with what a gentleman he is, what a teammate he is, how humble he is. He has blown everybody away.
“He came here to win trophies and get a little bit of a different experience. People say he hasn’t won anything yet but he could end up with the Champions League with Bayern, and the Euros with England [this year] – two of the biggest ones.”
Ex-Real Madrid and England midfielder Steve McManaman added: “His talent is undeniable. I always knew if he stayed fit he would have no problem whatsoever getting goals.”
‘Kane should still be number one’
Two England stars were on show for the first leg as Kane lined up for Bayern, while midfielder Jude Bellingham started for Real, keen to continue his impressive debut season in Spain.
They hope to spearhead England’s challenge at Euro 2024 this summer together but Bellingham was keen to put his compatriot off on Tuesday as he tried to distract Kane before he fired his spot-kick past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin from the penalty spot.
“I don’t know what he was saying. I saw him mumbling something,” said Kane.
“Once I’m in that moment, I’m in my zone, trying to block everyone out. I’m sure he was saying something to try to put me off.”
There is plenty of excitement around the two England internationals but former Scotland striker Pat Nevin says Kane “should still be number one” if you had to choose between them.
“Whenever we talk about the excitement we have around other players, Harry Kane should still be number one. Absolutely in my mind, he is number one,” Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“If I had to make a choice and you said to me, ‘you’ve got Jude Bellingham playing today or you’ve got Harry Kane playing today,’ – you take Kane every time.”