Bayern Munich clash with Holstein Kiel sets up reunions for Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Lewis Holtby
Matchday 3 of this Bundesliga season will see old teammates newly reunited as opponents in Kiel. Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Lewis Holtby all have a shared history at Tottenham Hotspur in North London, but Saturday evening’s fixture between Holstein Kiel and Bayern Munich will see them pitted against each other for the very first time.
It is a fixture of firsts. Not only is this the first time Lewis Holtby will face off against his former teammates Harry Kane and Eric Dier, but it is also the first time Holstein Kiel will have ever played in the top-flight, following their historic promotion from the Bundesliga 2 in the 23/24 season.
Holtby, now 33, contributed four goals and seven assists to the promotion campaign and will be looking to push on this season in the Bundesliga. Capped three times by Germany too, his experience and leadership could prove invaluable as captain of The Storks.
As for his record at Tottenham Hotspur, Holtby played alongside Kane just seven times, winning every game together. Alongside Dier, Holtby featured yet fewer. Only twice did they play together, although again, both times they were victorious. This perfect record must be broken when these players share the pitch on Saturday.
Kiel come into this fixture having taken zero points from their opening two games, losing 3-2 away to Hoffenheim on the opening weekend, and 2-0 at home to Wolfsburg a week later.
Bayern, on the other hand, seek to make it three from three, having beaten Wolfsburg 3-2 away in their first game, and Freiburg 2-0 at home in their second.
Kiel will become the 18th club Kane will have faced in his Bundesliga career, having scored against all the other 17. The talismanic striker has started the opening two games of the season, converting from the spot to open his account for the season by scoring the first against Freiburg.
Holtby too has started the first two games, but Dier has featured largely as a substitute, coming on late against Wolfsburg but not featuring on Matchday 2.
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Related news
Bundesliga top scorer's race
Harry Kane top scored with 36 goals last season, but there is a wealth of attacking talents ready to vie for his crown in 2024/25...
How will the 2026 World Cup work?
Bundesliga stars will be vying for the game's greatest international honour in the USA, Canada and Mexico - here's how it will all work.
Kane begins hamstring recovery
Kane has started jogging at Bayern Munich's training ground for the first time following his hamstring injury against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.