Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Bayern Munich’s captain Harry Kane is all keyed up to give his best in the quarter final of the Champions League against favourites Real Madrid on April 8. The 32-year-old England captain is likely to be ready to join Bayern’s squad for the crucial first leg match in a match between two of the best teams in the tournament.
Kane recently missed England’s matches against Uruguay and Japan, as well as Bayern’s league game in Freiburg last Saturday, because of ankle problems, reports Xinhua. Kane has undergone intensive treatment over the past few days and is expected to travel with Bayern to the Spanish capital. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said the reigning German champions will continue to monitor the situation until kick-off.
Kane’s influence on Bayern is undeniable, with 48 goals in 40 matches, including nine in 10 Champions League games. Despite growing hopes that he will be available for the strongest possible starting lineup, coach Vincent Kompany also has contingency plans to replace his main striker if necessary.
Alongside wingers Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, the former Tottenham striker is part of one of football’s most dangerous attacking lines, but Serge Gnabry is ready to fill the central role if needed. The 18-year-old Lennart Karl could then move into the position behind the front line.
The preferred option, however, is to have Kane available. “He for nothing wants to miss that game,” midfielder Joshua Kimmich said, adding: “He would even play in a wheelchair.”
