BERLIN: Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer called Harry Kane “a phenomenon” after the striker scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to beat Galatasaray 2-1 on Wednesday, booking the home side a spot in the Champions League knockout stage.
“Before the game we spoke about how we can rely on him” Neuer told DAZN. “He’s a phenomenon and we’re proud that he’s playing in the team.”
Bayern had won their past 16 Champions League group stage matches in a row, but with scores locked at 0-0 with 10 minutes remaining, the run looked set to end.
Kane however had other ideas, heading in a Joshua Kimmich free-kick, to put his side in front.
The goal survived two offside checks but Kane was not done, scoring again with four minutes remaining, to seal the victory and bring his tally to a remarkable 19 in 15 in all competitions since joining from Tottenham in the summer.
“I’m enjoying it,“ Kane said of his blistering start to life in Germany.
“That’s why they brought me here. As a striker, I love to score goals, love being on the pitch and most importantly love winning games”.
Cedric Bakambu scored deep into injury time to give the visitors hope, but Bayern held on for a one-goal victory.
Galatasaray, who had fought valiantly at home, with Bayern’s 3-1 win far less dominant than the scoreline suggested, again left empty handed, but can still qualify in the group with two games remaining.
“We expected a tough game after the away leg but I thought we played better,“ said Kane.
“We improved in the second half. Overall we deserved to win and I’m happy we qualified.”
– Musiala hamstring –
Bayern lost Jamal Musiala late in the first half, the Germany forward signalling to the bench before limping from the field clutching his hamstring.
“It’s not good news,“ said Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, adding that Musiala has “no chance at all” of playing in Saturday’s Bundesliga match with Heidenheim.
Buoyed on by a fierce away following in the Bavarian capital, Galatasaray’s best phase came early in the second half, Canada defender Alphonso Davies lucky to avoid a second yellow for fouling Lucas Torreira.
The visitors had the ball in the net shortly after, but Torreira’s strike was chalked out for the narrowest of offsides.
With time ticking down, Kimmich floated a free-kick towards Kane, the England captain guiding the ball in for the opener.
Bayern’s celebrations were interrupted when the linesman signalled offside, but Kane’s goal was allowed.
Kane added his second when he tapped in a Mathys Tel pass from close range, to seal a 17th-straight victory and a spot in the Champions League knockout stages.
Galatasaray replied through Bakambu in the third minute of injury time, but the visitors had left their run too late against a clinical Bayern side.
Tuchel said his side were “a little sloppy” and “inefficient” but said his team “perhaps felt the strain” of playing just a few days after their 4-0 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund.
Six-time winners Bayern have now gone 38 games unbeaten in the group stages, another Champions League record. –AFP
