Harry Kane scores to set mark in Bayern Munich’s 5-2 win at Darmstadt but ankle injury a worry
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Bayern Munich's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal in the 5-2 win over Darmstadt 98 in Germany, on March 16.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DARMSTADT – Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane bagged a record-breaking 31st German Bundesliga goal on March 16, but he suffered an injury and there are now concerns over his participation in upcoming England friendlies.
Jamal Musiala added two more goals in the team’s 5-2 demolition of hosts Darmstadt that moved the champions to 60 points in second place in the standings.
Leaders Bayer Leverkusen, coached by Xabi Alonso, re-established their 10-point advantage after they beat Freiburg 3-2 on March 17.
VfB Stuttgart are third on 56 following a 3-0 away win at Hoffenheim
Kane put Bayern, who face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals in April, 2-1 up in first-half stoppage time to take his league tally to 31, more than any player has scored in their first Bundesliga season.
He overtook German legend Uwe Seeler, who scored 30 goals in the 1963-64 season for Hamburg.
It is also a personal league best for the England captain – the Bundesliga’s most expensive transfer at €95 million (S$138.4 million) – who scored between Musiala’s two goals.
But the 30-year-old was taken off injured in the 81st minute after sliding into the post, getting tangled in the side netting and twisting his ankle.
“He stumbled and fell in the net and twisted his ankle,” said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, who will leave at the end of the season after a poor run at the start of the year.
“He was cooling it with ice. There is no diagnosis yet. We have to wait and see and hope it is just a scary moment.”
England, preparing for Euro 2024 in Germany in June, play Brazil on March 23 and Belgium three days later.
Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund said the club were in “close coordination” with the Three Lions about Kane and told reporters that the striker “will take no risks” with injury.
When asked about his side’s victory, Tuchel – who also saw goals from Serge Gnabry and Mathys Tel – added: “Overall we are happy with a deserved win. We kept creating chances and we deserved the goals we scored.
“It has been a good week and we have a very good atmosphere and are training well. We are happy to continue our run after our wins over Lazio (in the Champions League) and Mainz 05.” REUTERS, AFP
