Harry Kane has been accused of being a flat-track bully by the German media after the England captain drew a blank in Bayern Munich’s 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. The striker failed to find the net for the first time since the opening day of the Bundesliga season.
Kane has already scored 10 goals in seven appearances this campaign, including a league hat-trick and a Champions League quadruple. But German tabloid Bild is unhappy with his contributions in the biggest games.
The publication presented a series of ‘findings’ after Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Bayer, which was the first time the Bavarians have dropped points under new head coach Vincent Kompany. Kane’s supposed struggles in big games was one of the five points raised.
In the piece, which is headlined “the bitter Kane truth”, the newspaper’s sports editor declares: “Lots of effort, too little success.”
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He then questions the brilliance of Kane’s goal record against the Bundesliga’s smaller teams when he fails to find the net against title rivals Leverkusen.
“Harry Kane is hanging around alone up front,” the journalist writes. “What good are three goals against Kiel if he doesn't even get a shot on goal in a big game like yesterday?
“Fairness dictates that we shouldn't unleash the Kane-can't-win-a-title curse now. Especially since he had to leave injured.”
Kane limped off with an ankle injury in the 86th minute, placing his participation in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Aston Villa in doubt. Speaking after the game at the Allianz Arena, the 31-year-old believed he would be fit to play in the match at Villa Park.
Kompany was also positive about Kane’s chances of being involved. The Bayern boss said: “Hopefully it’s nothing serious. I’m not a doctor, but I hope he can play against Aston Villa on Wednesday.”
Kane has been among the world’s most prolific forwards since he switched Tottenham for Bayern a little over a year ago. During his first season in Germany, he struck a remarkable 36 goals in only 32 Bundesliga appearances.
That included a hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund and three goals in two matches against Stuttgart, who finished second. Kane also scored in a home draw with Leverkusen, suggesting that the Bild criticism might be slightly harsh.
Kane will hope to be fit for Bayern’s visit to Villa in the Champions League, a competition in which he scored a further eight goals last season.
