Musiala & Davies also ready
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This article first appeared on Transfermarkt at 1:02 p.m. and was subsequently updated.
FC Bayern had hoped for this signal before departing for Madrid. Striker Harry Kane was on the pitch during the final training session before the Champions League duel with Real Madrid in Munich. This means that hopes have increased that the striker can play an important role in the quarter-final first leg on Tuesday (9 p.m./Prime Video) at the Bernabéu Stadium, despite his ankle problems, ideally in the starting line-up.
The Englishman, who has been struggling with ankle problems for a week, was on the pitch for the last session before flying to Spain. Smiling in his long-sleeved shirt, he first chatted briefly with assistant coach Aaron Danks. Then, in the first 15 minutes that were public to the media, Kane completed loose ball exercises and runs around the pitch without any apparent problems with his foot. Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies were also in the unit.
Update 3:44 p.m.: Sports director Max Eberl expressed relief at Kane’s return. “He’s done everything, now he’s there and has taken part in the final training. Whether he puts him up or not is then Vinnie’s (Vincent Kompanys; red) decision. But at least he’s there and there’s a good feeling,” said Eberl before FC Bayern’s departure to Spain. Coach Kompany has the entire squad available except for goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, who is slowed down by adductor problems.
Offensive player Musiala and full-back Davies, who were missing from Munich for a long time, are also working their way back. But it’s not enough for them for 90 minutes, said Eberl. But they have “more and more minutes in the tank, and accordingly the time will come.”
“Of course we are better when Harry is there,” coach Vincent Kompany said after the 3-2 win at SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, in which the 32-year-old Englishman was missing. Manager Eberl also sounded positive. “We’ll do anything. It’s nothing dramatic. We believe it will work.”
Champions League top scorer: Only Mbappé is ahead of Kane
DFB captain Joshua Kimmich firmly believes that Kane will grit his teeth if necessary. “Even if he’s still in a bit of pain, he’ll drag himself onto the pitch,” said the 31-year-old: “I expect him to be fit on the pitch.” Kane has scored ten goals in the current premier class season. Only Real’s star striker Kylian Mbappé has more (13 goals).
If Kane cannot be in the starting line-up, Nicolas Jackson could replace him in the center of attack. The 24-year-old Senegalese was last missing in the Bundesliga against Freiburg due to a red card suspension. Another option would be national player Serge Gnabry.
Bayern travel to Spain with “total respect for this opponent”. They have lost their last four playoff duels in the Champions League against Real. But we are going into the new edition of the big showdown “with total confidence,” emphasized the Munich coach: “Hopefully we can show our strength.”
Especially since Kompany has plenty of personnel to draw from. Real, however, is missing the injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian will also miss the second leg in Munich next week.
