Bayern Munich need killer instinct with home Champions League final at stake
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Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane taking a shot during the 2-2 Bundesliga draw against Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on April 12.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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MUNICH – Bayern Munich and Harry Kane head to Inter Milan on April 16, needing a victory to reach the semi-finals and keep their dream of playing in a home Champions League final alive.
Inter’s 2-1 win in Munich puts the Italian side in the box seat to reach the Champions League last four since they lost to Manchester City in 2023.
Despite a bulging injury list, Bayern had enough chances to win the first leg but failed to make their dominance show on the score sheet.
It has been a familiar story recently for the German giants – and in particular star striker Kane.
With 25 minutes gone, Kane hit the outside of the post from just five metres out with only Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer to beat.
In the 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund on April 12 which maintained their six-point edge over Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga title chase, Vincent Kompany’s men failed to make a glut of chances count.
If the German giants are to reach the Champions League showpiece at their Allianz Arena in May, Kane and the forward line will need to find their killer instinct.
In their past two games, Bayern have scored three times from 46 shots on goal.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, centre-backs Dayot Upamecano and Hiroki Ito and wing-back Alphonso Davies will all miss the trip to Milan, hollowing out Bayern’s defence.
Midfield creator Jamal Musiala will also be absent.
Under-pressure central defender Kim Min-jae, who was hooked shortly after a mistake leading to Dortmund’s first on April 12, is still nursing an Achilles injury, but looks set to play on April 16.
Against Dortmund, Bayern finished with one fit centre-back on the field: English veteran Eric Dier.
Given the defensive woes, the need to convert chances becomes even more important.
Bayern and Kane had no trouble in the last 16 against Bayer Leverkusen, when the England captain scored three goals across the two-legged tie.
The 31-year-old, with 10 goals in 12 games this Champions League season, said on April 12 his side were “dominant” but “were a bit wasteful with our chances” against Dortmund, as they had been against Inter in Munich.
He added: “We just have to be more clinical. On another day, we would have got three or four against them (Inter).
“It gives us confidence because we know we can create chances against them. It’s about being there in the right moments.”
Apart from the romance of winning the title at home, Bayern are also hoping to exorcise the ghost of their 2012 final loss to Chelsea in Munich.
Joshua Kimmich, often called upon to lead the side in Neuer’s absence, said: “If we’re a bit more efficient, the game can go our way.
“It’s not like we need a miracle. We just need to win the game.”
The Bavarian side are not the first team this season to find it hard to score against Simone Inzaghi’s men, who have a three-point lead over Napoli in the Serie A title chase.
Thomas Muller’s 85th-minute tap-in on April 8 was just the third goal Inter have conceded in 11 games this Champions League.
After a 3-1 win over Cagliari on April 12, Inzahgi said of the return leg: “We’ve got to replicate our first-leg performance, playing with pace, aggression and organisation.
“We go into this clash with a lot of confidence.” AFP
