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19 May 2024

Crisis-hit Bayern banking on Kane and victory to change the narrative

Messenger Sports

Published: 11:10, 7 May 2024

Crisis-hit Bayern banking on Kane and victory to change the narrative

Six-time Champions League winners Bayern Munich. Photo: Collected

Six-time Champions League winners Bayern Munich head into Wednesday's second semi-final at Real Madrid ever more reliant on striker Harry Kane amid swirling off-field crises entirely of their own making.

Bayern still do not have a coach lined up for next season, with reports emerging on Monday that Julen Lopetegui became the latest to knock back the German giants, with the Spaniard chosing West Ham instead.

Bayern drew 2-2 at home against Real in the first leg and need a win to progress to Wembley, the site of their famous victory over rivals Borussia Dortmund in 2013.

With Dortmund 1-0 up heading to their second semi-final at Paris Saint-Germain, a repeat of the all-German final is on the cards.

Even just appearing in a Champions League final, let alone winning a seventh crown, would change the narrative surrounding Bayern's disappointing season.

Kane, famously still without a team trophy despite a decade collecting individual honours, left Tottenham for the stability of serial winners Bayern last summer.

Bayern's stumbles and Bayer Leverkusen's incredible unbeaten season under Xabi Alonso ended the Bavarians' 11-year Bundesliga title streak in April.

Bayern's elimination in the German Cup at the hands of third-division Saarbruecken -- with Kane on the bench throughout -- meant that the Champions League was their only chance of a trophy this season.

Messenger/Disha

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