Harry Kane prognosis ‘positive’ despite ankle injury, say Bayern Munich
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Bayern Munich's English forward Harry Kane limped off with four minutes remaining in Bayern’s 1-1 home draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Sept 28.
PHOTO: AFP
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BERLIN – Bayern Munich said examinations on striker Harry Kane’s injured ankle showed “a positive development”, ahead of their Champions League clash at Aston Villa on Oct 2.
Kane limped off with four minutes remaining in Bayern’s 1-1 home draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Sept 28. The 31-year-old, who has a history of ankle injuries, was seen clutching at his lower leg after a collision with Leverkusen’s Amine Adli.
In a statement on Sept 29, Bayern said Kane “suffered a painful blow to his ankle”, but added “examinations by (the club’s) medical department on Sunday showed a positive development. Kane will continue to receive intensive treatment.”
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said on Sept 28: “When Harry leaves the field, it means something because he’s pretty tough. (The incident) doesn’t look good, but we hope he’s made out of good English wood and nothing’s broken.”
England captain Kane has been in great form for Bayern this season.
He has scored 10 goals in seven games in all competitions, including four when Bayern demolished Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 in their Champions League opener on Sept 17.
Midfielder Robert Andrich put the visitors ahead after 31 minutes at the Allianz Arena but Aleksandar Pavlovic pulled leaders Bayern level eight minutes later with an incredible long-range shot.
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry hit the woodwork twice in the second half, but Leverkusen held on for a draw.
“We deserved more, definitely. We were clearly the better team and had the better chances. The goal we conceded was frustrating,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer.
Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was pleased with the result.
“Against Bayern you need to be disciplined and make sacrifices,” he said. “That was the style and manner we needed to play here today.
“We were serious, restricted their chances and I’m happy with the point.”
Bayern had been champions for 11 seasons before Alonso’s Leverkusen turned German football on its head in the 2023-24 season, becoming the first side to complete an unbeaten league and cup double.
The hosts were completely dominant early on, with their best chance a 19th-minute free kick which Michael Olise curled inches over. Leverkusen took the lead against the run of play, however, Andrich smashing in a low shot from a corner after a Pavlovic error.
Despite bossing field position, Bayern’s equaliser came through a stunning shot from well outside the box, Pavlovic making good on his error with a superb curling effort.
Said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany: “As a Bayern coach, you always want to win. But the performance was as we’d hoped. The counter-pressing was positive, we won the second balls, we created so many chances.
“Normally in such a game, you don’t create many chances, but we did. It was a top game, but there are still many games to go. We just have to keep going.”
AFP, REUTERS
