Kane in Bayern fitness race for Real Madrid clash as Kompany withholds decision
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has confirmed that striker Harry Kane is in a race to be fit for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, with a final decision on his participation to be made on Tuesday. The England captain, who has been nursing an ankle issue, returned to full team training on Monday but his start is not yet guaranteed.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday evening, Kompany provided a mixed update on the fitness of his star forward. "It was important that he did a lot of training today. I don’t think he has lost his rhythm," Kompany said. "We’ll wait until tomorrow and then decide." The manager stressed that the final decision would be a collaborative one, noting, "Harry knows how important this match is. He must also say whether he's ready to start."
Kane’s potential absence or limited involvement would be a significant blow for the German side. The 30-year-old has been in prolific form this season, and his absence would be a major boost for Real Madrid’s defense. Kompany, however, expressed confidence in his full squad, with only backup goalkeeper Sven Ulreich ruled out. "Everyone is available except Sven Ulreich. We have a great squad and are ready for the games," Kompany added, emphasizing the collective strength of his team ahead of the crucial European tie.
The Belgian coach, who is preparing for his first Champions League semi-final as a manager, acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge. He faces a Real Madrid side that recently eliminated Manchester City in the previous round. "This is my first time here as a coach, but we have a lot of experience in games like this," Kompany reflected. He emphasized that the outcome would hinge on fine margins, stating, "The outcome will be shaped partly by tactics, but above all by the little things – the individual quality of the players."
Kane’s fitness is a central narrative, but Kompany sought to shift the focus to the collective effort. He highlighted the team’s thorough preparation, noting they had studied Real Madrid’s recent performances, including their victory over Manchester City. "We’ve prepared thoroughly for Real and have studied what they did against City. It’s perhaps the toughest away game you can play, but we want to win," Kompany stated, acknowledging the difficulty of the task at the Santiago Bernabéu. The high-stakes first leg kicks off at 21:00 CET on Tuesday, with Kane’s involvement remaining the key pre-match question.
