MUNICH (AP) — Harry Kane has enjoyed the reaction to his historic Ballon d’Or win. He's also loving going back to work.
The Bayern Munich forward said on Monday he was ready to lead his side through a wave of absences — including that of their head coach — to secure a crucial result on Tuesday in their Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid.
Bayern’s injury list includes Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala, Luis Díaz, and Michael Olise, although Olise returned to training on Monday and could feature against the Spanish side.
“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster," Kane said of the past week. "We’ve had highs — for me personally last week — and some lows, with the boss being out and the injuries.”
Coach Vincent Kompany is recovering at home after collapsing during training last week, with no firm timeline on his return.
“Everything has brought us closer together," Kane said. “We’re missing some key players and our coach but it gives everyone an opportunity to prove themselves.”
He claimed the Ballon d’Or last Monday in voting ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. He was the first Bayern player in 45 years to receive the award.
“Since the Ballon d’Or there’s been a great reaction — perhaps because my journey has been a bit different from some of the other winners; people didn’t expect me to reach the level I’m at now,” the 33-year-old striker said. “But through hard work, determination, and resilience, I’ve been able to do it.”
Kane returned to domestic action on Saturday and could not score against Borussia Dortmund in a 2-2 Klassiker draw. Bayern topped the Bundesliga league only on goal difference.
“It is still early in the season. It feels like we’ve played loads of games already, but there’s a long way to go," Kane said. “At the moment we’re doing well; sometimes it seems worse than what it is. I think we’re doing more than okay right now.”
The pressure is on for Tuesday’s fixture. Both teams want to avoid falling further behind in the Champions League standings. Bayern Munich sits 14th with five points while Atlético occupies 16th with four points.
“If we can win these next two games — tomorrow night and then in the Bundesliga going into that second international break — we’ll be in a really good place,” Kane said. “And hopefully after that we’ll have a couple of players coming back. Until then, we just have to stick together and keep doing what we’re doing.”
___
