The Albany Gazette - Kane promises 'courage and passion' in pivotal Leverkusen clash

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Kane promises 'courage and passion' in pivotal Leverkusen clash

SPORTS 03.02.2024

Kane promises 'courage and passion' in pivotal Leverkusen clash / Photo: LUKAS BARTH - AFP

Harry Kane on Saturday promised Bayern Munich would bring "courage and passion" to next week's top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash with unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

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Kane scored his 24th league goal in Saturday's 3-1 come-from-behind win over Borussia Moenchengladbach, which ensured Bayern stayed two points behind Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen.

The England captain scored the goal that put Bayern ahead with 20 minutes to play after Gladbach had taken a first-half lead.

Leverkusen won 2-0 at last-placed Darmstadt on Saturday. They have won 25 and drawn four of their 29 matches this season, holding Bayern to a 2-2 draw in Munich in September.

"We know Saturday it'll be a really tough test," Kane told reporters.

"They're a good side and play good football, but as always football is about more than that.

"You have to fight, show some courage and passion. And that's what we'll do."

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel said his side were confident ahead of the trip.

"Leverkusen are playing an outstanding season, but we've got just two points less.

"We'll travel to Leverkusen with a clear goal – to inflict a first defeat of the season on them and to overtake them."

Leverkusen and Bayern are in the midst of two of the best seasons in Bundesliga history.

Leverkusen's 52 points from 20 matches is the third-best recorded in the league's 60-year history, while Bayern's 50 points from the same amount of games ranks sixth.

Bayern successfully broke down Gladbach's low block on Saturday but Kane said he expected a more open encounter against Alonso's high-flying side.

"Saturday will be different, it'll be more open.

"Both teams will try and play, try and press. And whoever does it better will come out on top."

Kane is on track to break Uwe Seeler's record of 30 goals in his first Bayern season -- while Robert Lewandowski's all-time season record of 41 goals remains in his sights.

Kane would need 18 goals from his final 14 league games to break the record.

"Of course, if I keep going the way I am, it's a possibility," Kane said.

"I'm feeling good and it was nice to score again today, but there's a long way to go and the most important thing is we're winning games."

(Y.Harris--TAG)