Thanks to record signing Kane: Bayern increase pressure on Leverkusen
Ahead of FC Bayern's annual general meeting this Sunday, Thomas Müller sent a message to Bayer Leverkusen. "The win against Heidenheim puts us top of the table. I hope that Leverkusen will also switch to draw mode," said the Munich manager after the 4:2 win against 1. FC Heidenheim.
The serial soccer champions thus took the lead at the top of the table ahead of the Werkself, who host 1. FC Union Berlin on Sunday. "We'll send out this message and hope it lasts until Monday - otherwise we'll try it on the next matchday," added Müller.
A win would put Bayer back in pole position. Coach Thomas Tuchel, who will be attending his employer's annual general meeting at BMW Park for the first time on Sunday, was not interested in the arithmetic after the win "on the last groove". "For me, there is only one match because we are only fighting against ourselves. We always play against our own level and against our own standards." The focus must always remain on his own team.
Record scorer Harry Kane sounded a similar note. 17 goals in 11 games allow for a projection that would ultimately be well above Robert Lewandowski's record of 41 goals from the 2020/21 season.
"There's still a long way to go. I've started strongly and people like to talk about this record," said the 30-year-old. "There are still a lot of games to play and I'm not focused on that. I want to get the three points and help my team by scoring goals."
After just a few games together, captain Manuel Neuer is just as enthusiastic about England's national team captain as he is about Lewandowski. "Both are very hungry for goals and are also unpredictable in the box," said Neuer, who loudly went on to analyze his mistakes after the goals conceded. "Both can do almost anything and it's difficult to calculate for the defense and for the goalkeepers too."
Kane ensured the reassuring 2:0 lead at the break in impressive style (14th/44th minute). Tim Kleindienst (67') and Jan-Niklas Beste (70') struck back brilliantly for Heidenheim. Comeback man Raphael Guerreiro gave Bayern another chance to celebrate their imminent victory eleven minutes after coming on as a substitute (72'). Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who also came on as a substitute, then finally put the game to bed (85').
Leroy Sané earned special praise from the protagonists as a two-time provider. "We know what a great player we have," joked Neuer. "He's so important for our game because he can make the difference."
In the Bundesliga standings, FC Bayern Munich now leads due to their win against 1st FC Heidenheim, pushing them ahead of Bayer Leverkusen. During the game, Kane scored two impressive goals, contributing significantly to Bayern's 1st FC Heidenheim victory.
Source: www.dpa.com
