Harry Kane keen for Bayer Leverkusen title battle
Bayern Munich's match winner against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Harry Kane, said the Bavarian giants are ready to go toe to toe with defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen as this season's title battle takes shape.
Kane netted the crucial goal from the penalty spot against the Foals on Saturday evening as Vincent Kompany's side maintained their four-point advantage over the Werkself - who downed Borussia Dortmund on Friday - in the standings.
Speaking to bundesliga.com after his team's Matchday 16 triumph, Kane said, "It's a season that we're going to have to be on it in every moment. (Leverkusen) are in good form. I think they've won quite a lot of games in a row so we just have to do the same. Whoever plays first obviously has the chance to put pressure on the other team and they did that to us but we were able to respond today."
Watch: Kane - "It's a great start."
With Leverkusen picking up a sixth straight Bundesliga win, Kane and Co. were well aware that they needed to do the business at Borussia-Park, and despite the narrow margin of victory, the visitors would have likely been out of sight but for an outstanding performance from Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas. For Kane, the important thing for his side was to ensure maximum points, no matter the scoreline.
"Three points is exactly what we came here for," the Bundesliga's top scorer with 15 goals explained. "We knew it would be a difficult game but I thought we played really well to be honest. I know it was a bit nervy towards the end; they put the pressure on us. But overall we had enough chances to probably win 3-0 or 4-0. That's what we've got to get better at - just being a bit more clinical. But overall it's a good three points to start the year."
Watch: Kane warns of Bayer 04 surge
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Kane ensured Gladbach lost at home in the top flight for the first time in four months with his 26th successive penalty conversion. England's record scorer has now scored all 17 penalties he has taken for Bayern while his last miss from the spot came for his country against France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
For Kane's coach, Kompany, Saturday's win - Bayern's 12th in 16 Bundesliga games in 2024/25 - highlighted the strong mentality his side are currently playing with. "The biggest thing is to focus on ourselves, to live in that tunnel where you just go game by game," the tactician told bundesliga.com. "The mentality to win, the mentality to be good in every phase in everything you do (is important). There will be good moments and bad moments but I think in general we showed good signs today."
Watch: Kompany - "We focus on ourselves"
Bayern made sure they will be top of the standings at the halfway stage of this season and will be well aware they have gone on to win the title 23 times of the 26 occasions they have found themselves in this position in the past. The division leaders next host troubled Hoffenheim on Wednesday while second-placed Leverkusen are at home against in-form Mainz the day before.
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