Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has become better with age, says coach Vincent Kompany

LEVERKUSEN – Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane earned praise from coach Vincent Kompany, after scoring one goal and setting up another in a 2-0 victory at Bayer Leverkusen on March 11 that saw the German giants book their Champions League quarter-final spot.

Kane, who leads the Bundesliga scorers’ list with 21 goals, netted his 10th Champions League goal of the season in the 52nd minute to put Bayern in front and then set up Alphonso Davies in the 71st minute.

The former Tottenham Hotspur player, 31, is the first Englishman to score 10 times in a single European Cup season.

“It helps when you have a top player who wants to run and fight for the team like a youth player,” said Kompany, formerly captain of Manchester City.

“I played against him as an opponent and he has become better with age. He has a way to work towards his performances. I trust his consistency and how he works towards his game.”

Kane, who also scored twice in the first leg against Leverkusen, helped Bayern to a 5-0 aggregate win and quarter-final tie against Serie A leaders Inter Milan, who eliminated Feyenoord.

Before last week’s first-leg win, they had failed to beat reigning Bundesliga champions Leverkusen in their previous six matches across all competitions.

Leverkusen also knocked out Bayern in the German Cup this season.

“A big compliment to the lads who delivered this performance,” Kompany added of his team’s display. “These two wins over Leverkusen are important for us. These two wins, they don’t decide the season but we have a lot of respect for Leverkusen. We did our work.

“We had the better chances. Our aim was to win the first half and then to win the second half and we did that.”

Inter, meanwhile, beat Dutch side Feyenoord 2-1 to progress 4-1 on aggregate and coach Simone Inzaghi is hoping to earn his first victory over Bayern.

Inzaghi has already faced the German side in the competition on four occasions, twice with Inter and twice in charge of Lazio, and has lost all four previous meetings.

“It will be a complicated match. I met Bayern with Inter and Lazio,” said the Italian, whose side scored via Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty, with Jakub Moder netting for Feyenoord.

“We will go for it, as we have done so far.”

Elsewhere, Barcelona are in contention for three major titles but coach Hansi Flick said it was still too early to evaluate their trophy chances after they beat Portugal’s Benfica 3-1 to reach the last eight 4-1 on aggregate.

Barca maintained their imperious form to extend their unbeaten run to 17 games across all competitions, thanks to a double by Raphinha and a superb individual goal by Lamine Yamal. Nicolas Otamendi scored for Benfica.

While they lead La Liga and have also reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals, Flick played down talk of title pressure and insisted it was too soon to be thinking about silverware.

“First things first, we need to focus on the quarter-finals and be well prepared for the opponents we face next,” said the German, whose team will play either Borussia Dortmund or Lille next.

“The Champions League is the most difficult trophy that exists and sure, we hope we can keep advancing and be good enough to win it all but that is still a long way to go.” REUTERS, AFP