Bayern Munich Injury Update: Harry Kane latest details, recovery timeline

Bayern Munich surely have avoided a loss against arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund, with a goal in the final minutes from Jamal Musiala, but a bigger blow has now appeared in front of them. The Bavarians will now be missing out on their first-choice striker and costliest signing to date Harry Kane for an injury for some time now.

Missing Kane at this juncture of the season appears to be a big blow for Vincent Kompany’s side. After all, they are the active contenders in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and other competitions they are a part of. So look below and get to know the entire injury update and expected time of return to play for the injured Harry Kane. Also, know the impact it has on the club.

Harry Kane Injury Update

After just 33 minutes of the Bundesliga game Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich, being played at the Signal Iduna Park, star striker Harry Kane was subbed off for the veteran Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller. The decision was taken after Kane had a small conversation with the training staff. Kane immediately left the field and headed down the tunnel for further examinations.

Later, clearing all doubts, Bayern Munich issued an official statement claiming, “Harry Kane picked up a minor muscle strain in his right hamstring in FC Bayern’s Bundesliga match at Borussia Dortmund”. The hamstring injury will now make the 31-year-old miss some games. 

Impact of Harry Kane Injury on Bayern Munich Squad and Strategy

Ever since his arrival, Harry Kane has been the crucial piece of their lethal attack. In just 64 games, he has 85 goal contributions (64 goals, and 21 assists). This season too, he has been dangerous, with 20 goals and nine assists in just 19 games. 

He has barely missed a couple of games. But, now after his injury, the club might have to face defending league champions Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal, and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. They will also be facing a number of other defensive sides in the Bundesliga, and a Champions League opponent this month. 

So, if Kane misses it all, his club will have serious difficulties adjusting to the attack, which was centered around him, with him being the only natural striker in the team. Kompany might have to implement an all-round attack and not just all pass to the central force to see some goals in the coming days.

Bayern Munich are at present leading the Bundesliga with a four-point lead. Attacking lapses can spoil their lead, and even make them slip. They are also 13th in the Champions League, eyeing a top 8 spot, they need to score or they won’t reach there.

Possible Replacements and Tactical Adjustments

Coach Vincent Kompany will need to change a lot. The 38-year-old prefers a 4-2-3-1 style, with a maximum of the passes crafted for the striker. Now with the absence of a natural striker like Kane, who is often regarded as one of the best in his position, he might have to take much of a more passing approach, and also introduce more attack from the wings.

Kane can surely be replaced by Muller up front, but the problem here is that Muller is more of a second striker, than a centre-forward with best-in-class finishing skills. So they can surely have Muller as their striker, but the game ideally wouldn’t be centered around him, and Bayern could operate the wings more, with Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman advancing more. The game can also be centered around their youngster Jamal, who assumes the role of a No. 10.

Also, Muller being 35 cannot play continuously for full minutes like Kane, so Kompany might have to avail of other options to sub him in the later parts of the game.  

Harry Kane Return date

The exact return date for Harry Kane to be completely match-fit and represent Bayern Munich is not known yet. As per an official statement of the Bayern Munich club, they “will therefore be without Kane, 31, for the time being”.

The official statement doesn’t provide a clear date but hints at a temporary sideline. As reported in Hindustan Times, “German tabloid Bild said Kane was likely to miss two weeks of action.” Which again makes it clear that he will miss the Bayer Leverkusen game.

Also Read: Harry Kane congratulates Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller on historic feat

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