Harry Kane looks set to see his Bayern Munich trophy hopes rest on the Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal. The former Tottenham striker, who is yet to win a trophy in his professional career, signed for the German champions last summer which saw his 19-year stint at Spurs come to an end.
On his debut for the Bavarians, Kane had a chance to win his first trophy, however they were beaten 3-0 by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup. Given Bayern have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles, they entered the 2023/24 campaign as clear favourites, however it has not quite played out that way.
Bayer Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso, have been in impeccable form and are yet to lose a game this season. For the second time in their last three games, Leverkusen came from behind to win in the final stages with their latest comeback arriving against Hoffenheim on Saturday.
Just a few hours later, Bayern were beaten at home by Borussia Dortmund, with Kane playing the whole game despite being a huge injury doubt, meaning they are now 13 points off the runaway leaders with just eight games to play. Following their defeat, Thomas Tuchel, who is set to leave the club in the summer, was asked if the title race was over and his response was certainly telling.
“Obviously, yes,” he said. “After today’s game there is no more need to count points. How many is it now? Congratulations to Leverkusen.” With Bayern’s domestic trophy chances written of by Tuchel, the Champions League may is essentially their only remaining hope.
In the last round, Kane inspired his side to victory against Lazio with a quarter-final tie against Arsenal set up as a result. The Gunners beat Porto on penalties in the last-16 and will subsequently welcome Bayern to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, April 9 with the second leg in Germany the following week.
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If Bayern are knocked out by Arsenal, it will certainly be the ultimate nightmare scenario for Kane with his trophy hopes ended by the club he has found so much joy in front of goal against. Arsenal are currently enthralled in a thrilling Premier League title race against Manchester City and Liverpool.
The bitter rivals of his boyhood club winning their first league title in 20 years, along with bypassing his new club in the Champions League, would be the absolute worst-case scenario. However, Kane helping Bayern knock Arsenal out of Europe would certainly arrive as some solace in what will likely be considered a disappointing campaign unless the German giants win the Champions League.
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