Harry Kane was rested last weekend, but that rest time did not last as long as coach Vincent Kompany wanted. He had to play when Bayern Munich was led 3-0 by Mainz in the first half. Immediately after that, the England captain scored the decisive goal, setting the score at 4-3.
That was Kane's 33rd goal in this Bundesliga season. Kompany's reduction in using this striker has almost ended Robert Lewandowski's hopes of breaking his all-time scoring record in a Bundesliga season, but Kane will still end the season as top scorer for the third consecutive year.
That means only Lewandowski and Gerd Muller have more Bundesliga top scorers than Kane in the history of the league. It is unreasonable to compare Kane's record with these real strikers, while he brings more than that to Bayern.
In a recent interview with El Pais newspaper, Bayern head Uli Hoeness perfectly expressed this by stating what makes Kane different from the rest. "If you look at Bayern in recent years, we have always had number 9 strikers scoring goals" - Hoeness explained.
When I look at Kane now, I see a number 9 that I have never seen before. He defends, organizes the game, assists, scores goals. Gerd lives in the penalty area. Harry has shifted the role of the number 9 out of the penalty area, without neglecting the core element of scoring goals" - Hoeness added.
Kane has touched the ball in his own half twice as many times in the 30m range in front of the opponent's goal. However, he still leads by 9 points in the race for the European Golden Shoe in a tournament with fewer matches.
The English international's creativity is incredible. Kane ranks third in the Bundesliga in terms of clear chances created from open balls and third in the number of successful passes through the line. His passing range is comparable to the best assist midfielders in the world, a key factor leading to Bayern's success.
Sometimes, having to be directly present in the stands, people can fully feel Kane's playing vision. A pass at Cologne in January made experts admire, when he quickly realized Luis Diaz was in a completely empty position. In a difficult position, almost having to bend, Kane still managed to make a delicate curved pass forward - proof of a rare tactical vision.
When reaching his peak form, Kane plays as if observing the entire match from above. Kompany understands that and does not bind him in the traditional number 9 role. Kane is not forced to wait for the ball in the penalty area. Instead, he becomes the center of operation of the playing style, creating conditions for Diaz and Michael Olise to maximize their abilities. That is not an additional option, but a core part of Bayern's operation.
This makes Kane a comprehensive threat. At the Bernabeu, although there were times when his handling was not really sharp, he still knew how to leave his mark with a decisive goal with an accurate finish. Like an all-around athlete, Kane always finds a way to be present in the match, whether scoring, assisting or controlling the tempo.
In the Champions League last season, Bayern Munich was eliminated by Inter Milan from the quarter-finals. A year earlier, in Kane's first campaign, he left the field before Joselu scored a double to help Real Madrid reverse the situation at the Bernabeu. Those were the moments when Kane could not yet become a decisive factor.
At the national team level, despite winning the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot title, his mark in the knockout rounds is still limited. His only goal from the quarter-finals onwards in two World Cups came from a penalty in the match against France - a match that people remember more than the missed shot afterwards.
At EURO 2024, fitness issues continue to prevent Kane from fully participating in decisive moments. Hopefully, currently, with better fitness, he can take advantage of opportunities in the upcoming crucial period.
If that is done, Kane's position will change significantly. Although the Ballon d'Or is still controversial, it is still a measure of prestige in recognition. Kane regularly appears in the nomination list, but has never entered the leading group.
That, as Hoeness once commented, does not fully reflect his value, but is a consequence of not really shining in breakthrough matches. Therefore, the semi-final match with Paris Saint-Germain will be the biggest test.
Can Kane surpass Ousmane Dembele like he did with Kylian Mbappe? Or further, can he end Arsenal's dream in the Champions League final in Budapest - a scenario that Tottenham Hotspur fans are particularly interested in?
Kane is no longer short of titles at club level as Bayern is approaching a domestic double. But the Champions League along with the World Cup ahead is where the legacy is shaped. This is the time for Kane to receive global recognition worthy of his class.
