Currently without a backup for Kane
©IMAGO
Bayern Munich’s sports director Max Eberl has ruled out a winter transfer as a replacement for Harry Kane despite the offensively harmless away performance in the 1:2 against FSV Mainz 05. “Because we think we have a squad that has the quality to achieve the goals we have set ourselves,” said Eberl after the German record champions’ first defeat of this Bundesliga season and added: “How do you say it So nice: Bavaria isn’t a money-sucker either.”
Nominally, Kane is the only center forward in the Munich squad. Thomas Müller (35), listed as hanging tip in the TM database, took on the role in Mainz, but remained harmless. Other options would be clear wingers like Leroy Sané (28), Michael Olise (23), Mathys Tel (19) or the injured Serge Gnabry (29) and Kingsley Coman (28). Therefore, voices have recently been raised that a classic back-up of the Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting variety (2020 to 2024 in the club) is necessary.
Eberl admitted that FC Bayern had “great numbers”. “But we have great numbers because we always think economically.” However, the loss of Kane, who is still not fit after tearing his muscle fiber, was clearly noticeable in Mainz. Bayern’s offensive remained pale and unimaginative for long stretches – even exceptional player Jamal Musiala couldn’t make the difference this time.
But Eberl didn’t want to blame the many failures like Kane’s for the defeat. “We don’t want to look for alibis. We have top players who weren’t there. You can read all of that. And of course it would have been good to have one or the other on the pitch today. But we didn’t.”
Eberl said they knew what was coming for the team in Mainz. However, the team allowed the hosts’ game to be imposed too much on them, explained the 51-year-old. “As a group, we all failed to do that today: to bring this calm to the pitch. What our quality is.”