Bayern Munich’s star striker Harry Kane has been declared fit to face Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga showdown on Saturday, confirmed by manager Thomas Tuchel. Kane, who suffered an ankle injury in a previous match against Darmstadt, is set to make his return to the pitch after recovering from the setback.
The 30-year-old forward, who joined Bayern from Tottenham in a high-profile transfer last August, has been in sensational form this season, leading the German top flight’s scoring charts with 31 goals in 26 appearances. Despite the injury scare, Kane’s availability for the upcoming clash against Dortmund is a significant boost for Bayern.
Kane’s absence was felt during England’s recent international fixtures, where he sat out matches against Brazil and Belgium to focus on his recovery. However, with Tuchel confirming his fitness, Bayern fans can expect Kane to feature prominently in the highly anticipated encounter against Dortmund.
While Kane’s return is a positive development for Bayern, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains sidelined due to a thigh muscle injury sustained during training with the German national team. Tuchel expressed optimism about Neuer’s potential comeback for Bayern’s subsequent fixtures, targeting a return for the crucial Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal.
Despite being ten points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich remains determined to maintain their title challenge, with Dortmund posing a formidable challenge in fourth place. The Bayern-Dortmund fixture, commonly referred to as ‘Der Klassiker,’ holds significant importance in German football due to the historical rivalry between the two clubs.
Furthermore, Tuchel’s impending departure from Bayern at the end of the season adds an intriguing subplot to the match, with Xabi Alonso previously linked as a potential successor. However, Alonso’s recent announcement ruling out a move to Bayern ensures that the focus remains solely on the upcoming clash and Bayern’s pursuit of silverware this season.