Bayern Munich are still assessing the condition of Harry Kane as they prepare for their Champions League quarter-final encounter with Real Madrid. The England captain, aged 32, trained with the squad in Munich on Monday before travelling to Spain, having recently been sidelined by what has been described as a minor ankle problem.
The striker’s issue had already ruled him out of England’s friendly loss to Japan at Wembley, as well as Bayern’s narrow 3-2 win over Freiburg. Despite his return to training, head coach Vincent Kompany has not confirmed whether Kane will be ready to start the first leg at the Bernabeu.
Speaking ahead of the match, Kompany made it clear that a final decision would be delayed until the last possible moment. He stressed that Kane’s involvement in training was encouraging but insisted the club would wait for full clarity before making a call on his participation.
Kompany keeps decision under wraps
Kompany remained cautious when addressing repeated questions about Kane’s availability, emphasizing the importance of evaluating each player carefully. While acknowledging the significance of the fixture, he avoided giving any definitive indication about whether the forward would be included from the start.
He did, however, point out that Kane had maintained his sharpness despite the recent setback. The Belgian coach suggested that the striker’s workload in training was a positive sign and hinted that his overall rhythm had not been significantly affected.
Even with growing curiosity surrounding the situation, Kompany appeared unfazed by the attention, stating that he understood the focus on such a key figure but would not rush into revealing his plans prematurely.
Kane’s influence highlighted by teammates
Kane’s importance to Bayern’s campaign has been underlined by his remarkable output this season. He has scored 10 times in the Champions League and leads the Bundesliga scoring charts with 31 goals, making him central to the team’s ambitions.
Teammate Joshua Kimmich praised not only Kane’s numbers but also his overall contribution to the side. He pointed out that the forward’s impact extends beyond goals and assists, describing him as a crucial presence in Bayern’s style of play.
Kimmich also highlighted Kane’s mentality, noting that he prioritizes team success over personal achievements. He described the striker as a leader on the pitch and a role model within the squad, emphasizing how valuable his presence is, particularly in high-stakes matches like the upcoming clash in Madrid.