Bundesliga

THE fact that Bayern Munich chose to make Harry Kane official poster boy of their newest Bundesliga triumph should represent the moment the sniggering stops.Kane looked as awkward in the club’s portrait of their dinner-suited title winner as he did wearing lederhosen after his arrival in Bavaria.Harry Kane has ended his career trophy droughtCredit: PANow Kane has the medal, it might open the floodgates for club and countryCredit: APBut the England skipper, 31, fits Bayern like a glove on the pitch, where it matters.And with that first trophy finally tucked away, the absence of which saw Kane unforgivably mocked by many who would dream of a fraction of his talent, it is time for the striker to be widely celebrated as a brilliant ambassador for English football.You can understand why Kane, who stays off the beers apart from a two-week summer window, partied with his team-mates, posting a video of the squad singing along to Queen on Sunday.When Kevin Keegan left Liverpool for Hamburg, he was praised for his bravery and ambition.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLikewise when David Platt headed for Serie A, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen swapped Merseyside for Madrid, while David Beckham also joined Real.Yet with Kane’s move to Munich, there seemed more scorn and derision, especially when they blew up under the pressure of Bayer Leverkusen’s relentless run last term.It was as if it was Kane’s fault that Tottenham fell short, when the truth was he was the reason they got so close.That he was a living, walking “curse”, an albatross round the neck of every team he played for. Utter bilge, of course.Most read in BundesligaBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSKane scored 36 of Bayern’s 94 Bundesliga goals last season, only surpassed in the German top-flight’s history by Gerd Muller and Robert Lewandowski, 44 in all competitions.They were ahead in the Champions League semi with Real Madrid when Kane was replaced late on.Harry Kane celebrates with Bayern team-mates after FINALLY winning a trophyAnd when England stuttered and stumbled their way through Euro 2024, guess who got the blame?That Kane was not his real self was evident — the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. Gareth Southgate’s belief that Kane’s nerve would hold in the big moments was a factor — just remember how he slammed home the semi-final penalty against Holland.Yet there were plenty who wanted time called on Kane’s Three Lions career, strip him of the armband and give the starting shirt to Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney.Those voices have been silenced now. Thomas Tuchel could not have been firmer in signalling his faith in the man he signed for Bayern, while Kane has been Munich’s stand-out player once more.Statistics can be used to make any point you want. But Kane’s numbers are the ultimate argument.His list of England scoring records alone are remarkable… most goals, most competitive goals, most goals in major tournaments, most goals as captain, most goals for a single manager. Just for starters.Fitness permitting, with maybe five more years in his tank, including three tournaments, Kane is on course to become the first player to score 100 goals for England.He left Spurs having overtaken Jimmy Greaves as the club’s all-time top scorer, just 47 adrift of Alan Shearer’s Prem record mark.Now he has the medal to prove he is a winner. It might open the floodgates — for club and country.That Shearer tally, too, is one he will be desperate to topple.One more year in Germany, another title, then lead England to World Cup glory, before plenty of suitors back home will be ready for a guaranteed source of goals.Kane does not have to win the Prem. But if anybody deserves to, it is England’s greatest striker.Gone MadJUST as he saw light at the end of the tunnel, Ange Postecoglou realised the injury train was hurtling towards him again.Losing both Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison was a bigger blow than Bodo/Glimt’s late strike in N17 on Thursday.Spurs now travel to the Arctic Circle without two key men. Good job they are renowned for their courage in big games.James Maddison is out for Spurs’ second leg of the semi-finalCredit: GettyCole-den BoyCOLE PALMER claimed he was not bothered by the “trolls and idiots” who have questioned him over the past three months.That’s fair enough. The Chelsea forward, 22, was going through a blip, the first of his career, so it was always a matter of time before he emerged.Yet his response rekindled memories of how Fernando Torres blamed everybody else for his problems after a £50million move to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool in 2011.After breaking his own 18-game Premier League scoring drought, the Spanish striker refused to talk to the media because of the repeated reporting on his lack of goals.Cole Palmer was back amongst the goals as Chelsea beat LiverpoolCredit: GettyGuard of HorrorARNE SLOT’S selective deafness at Stamford Bridge on Sunday signalled another reason Liverpool’s title triumph has been relatively well-received — other than in SW6, that is.The raucous boos of Chelsea supporters, even as their players began to line up to give the new champions a guard of honour, might have seen Slot have a dig.Instead, the Dutchman claimed not to have heard it.Read More on The SunWhile Kop fans rightly revered previous boss Jurgen Klopp, his managerial style alienated plenty of rival supporters.Slot has been far more low-key during his triumphal campaign.Never doubt the determination of the quiet man.Chelsea fans booed the guard of honourCredit: Reuters More

HARRY KANE finally broke his trophy duck and he made sure to celebrate in style.The Bayern Munich striker puffed on a cigar, sipped champagne and stayed up to the early hours dancing with his team-mates after the Bavarians were crowned Bundesliga champions.Harry Kane celebrated late into the night with his Bayern Munich teammatesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/konradlaimer/?hl=enA party filled with champagne and cigars went on until the early hoursCredit: https://www.instagram.com/konradlaimer/?hl=enKane, Joshua Kimmich and Eric Dier puffed on cigars after the title was wrapped upCredit: XKimmich, Kane, Serge Gnabry and Dier sprayed champagne magnums at the partyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/harrykane/A 2-2 draw between title rivals Bayer Leverkusen and European battlers Freiburg meant that Bayern were made champions with two games left to play.And players and staff gathered together at a classy restaurant to watch Leverkusen hand them the title on TV, seeing their celebrations descend into a night of chaos on the full-time whistle.German outlet Bild described the ensuing party as a “lavish celebration”, revealing that Kane spent EIGHT HOURS partying – finally leaving at 1:34am.Pictures from the night showed champagne flowing, cigars out and plenty of partying.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKane could be seen enjoying the night alongside England and former Spurs team-mate Eric Dier – with the pair sharing an emotional embrace on the whistle.While Serge Gnabry, Konrad Laimer and Joshua Kimmich were among the other players posing for celebratory pictures.Everyone seemed to have their dancing shoes on too, with reports of late-night dancing to Michael Jackson.While the players sang along to the Spice Girls, Mr Brightside by The Killers, We Are The Champions by Queen as well as a bit of Sweet Caroline.Most read in FootballKane was soaked with champagne in one clipCredit: https://www.instagram.com/harrykane/He shared an emotional hug with Eric Dier on the full-time whistleCredit: XDier shared a photo of him enjoying a cigarCredit: Instagram @ericdier15CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKane has tasted plenty of heartbreak leading up to his first career trophy, after he lost two League Cup finals and a Champions League final while at Tottenham.While he has also lost two European Championship finals for England in 2021 and 2024. Harry Kane puffs on cigar as Bayern champions drink champagne and dance to Michael Jackson in early hours of morningHe’s been a huge part of Bayern’s title success under boss Vincent Kompany, who was also part of the celebrations, scoring 24 goals and registering nine assists in 29 Bundesliga games this season.Kane took to Instagram to pass a message on to the fans after a long night of partying.In a video, he said: “What a night last night. What a celebration with the players, with the staff.”I’m sure everyone is feeling it a little bit this morning, but we’re here and I feel amazing.”It’s been a long time coming. Obviously a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication. “It just feels sweet to win the title and the first one of my career. So, I appreciate all the support as always – it never goes unnoticed.”I can’t wait to enjoy these next couple of weeks. I can’t wait to be at the Allianz on Saturday and celebrate in front of the fans and then, as always, we look forward to the next one.”Kane missed out on the Champions League when he played for TottenhamCredit: GettyHe suffered trophy agony with England tooCredit: GettyKane has had a superb campaignCredit: GettyBayern Munich made a mock up of Kane sipping tea with the Bundesliga trophy by his sideCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJPYxLFoIgW/ More

HARRY KANE was given special dispensation to break a little-known Bundesliga rule. But it spectacularly backfired in a cruel twist of fate.Suspended Harry Kane had to watch Bayern Munich from the stands on SaturdayCredit: GettyHe went down to be pitchside for the end of the game – but RB Leipzig equalisedCredit: APBayern Munich looked set to clinch the Bundesliga title on Saturday.A win over RB Leipzig would have been enough and see Kane win the very first major trophy of his career. The England captain, though, was suspended for accumulating too many yellow cards. That meant he had to sit in the stands to watch the match and hope his team-mates could get the job done. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd Bundesliga legislation states that suspended players are not allowed on the pitch from 30 minutes before kick-off until 30 minutes after the full-time whistle. However, according to Bild, league officials gave Kane permission to take to the field at the end of the game.The idea being that he could join in the title celebrations with his team-mates.But it did not go according to plan for Kane.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe watched on helpless as RB Leipzig took a 2-0 lead at half-time.Ex-Premier League trio Eric Dier, Michael Olise and Leroy Sane turned it around in the second half, though, to put Bayern 3-2 ahead and on the cusp of the title.I tried Harry Kane’s knobbly sticks after England star did a Gary Lineker by releasing snack brand – here’s my verdictSo much so that Kane headed down to be pitchside for the full-time whistle when their status as champions would be confirmed.But in the fourth minute of injury time, Yussuf Poulsen struck a dramatic equaliser for Leipzig.And that left Bayern nine points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who have three games left and a 30-goal inferior goal difference. So although it is all but a done deal, Bayern are technically not champions just yet, leaving Kane to wait a little longer. Bayer take on Freiburg on Sunday and know failure to pick up all three points would officially hand Bayern the title. Should Leverkusen do their part, Kane and Bayern know they can get over the line by avoiding defeat at home to Borussia Monchengladbach next Saturday. Kane – who was denied a first trophy last season when Leverkusen stopped Bayern’s ten-year Bundesliga monopoly – has scored 24 league goals this term. But it was his fifth yellow card of the campaign that ruled him out at Leipzig, getting booked for preventing Mainz from taking a quick free-kick.The seething striker said: “First of all, it’s an insane decision. It’s never a yellow card.”Unfortunately, sometimes people come to the Allianz Arena and try to make a name for themselves.”That’s why I’m really disappointed that I got the yellow card, because of course I knew I already had four.”And secondly, I think the rule is crazy anyway. Five yellow cards in 34 games means a suspension. That’s crazy.Read More on The Sun”Crazy, crazy decision. It’s kind of my story that I’ll miss the Leipzig game. But no worries, I’ll celebrate more than anyone else.”But those celebrations will just have to wait that little bit longer for Kane. Kane’s wait to clinch his first major trophy goes onCredit: GettyThe striker was furious to miss the matchCredit: GettySuspended players are usually blocked from going on the pitch before and after the matchCredit: GettyKane was given special dispensation to join his team-matesCredit: Getty More

HARRY KANE’S wait for a first career trophy went on after Bayern Munich conceded in the last minute to draw 3-3 RB Leipzig.Kane was serving a one-match suspension for the match that could have been Bayern’s Bundesliga title clincher.Harry Kane wait for a first trophy goes on after Bayern Munich drew with LeipzigCredit: PAKane appeared to be heading down from the box to celebrate the pending titleKane was pitchside getting ready to run on and celebrate before Leipzig struckLeipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen made it 3-3 in the final secondsKane needs to close out the new few weeks to win the Bundesliga titleKane – who watched on from a box high up in the stands – was just seconds away from the FIRST trophy of is 16-year career.Bayern threatened to replicate Manchester City’s title deciding “remontada” against Aston Villa in 2022.Vincent Kompany’s side – who needed a win to secure the title – mounted an incredible comeback from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 with seven minutes of normal time remaining. And for the first time ever, suspended Kane was waiting pitchside to get ready to run on and celebrate a league title with his team-mates.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSCameras picked up Kane leaving his box to head down and join his team-mates after Leroy Sane completed the turnaround.But Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen had different plans, as his first footed shot from a difficult angle spoiled the party.Three former Premier League stars completed the turnaround for Bayern, with Eric Dier and Michael Olise grabbing the goals.Bayern are now nine points above chasers Bayer Leverkusen, with two games to spare.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKane was banned for picking up his fifth yellow of the season against Mainz last week.The 31-year-old held onto the ball to prevent Mainz taking a quick free-kick after fouling Jonathan Burkardt.At the time, Kane said: “Crazy, crazy decision! It’s kind of my story that I’ll miss the Leipzig game. “But no worries, I’ll celebrate more than anyone else.”But Kane will have the chance to make things right against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Allianz Arena in a week’s time.The former Tottenham talisman has famously NEVER won a trophy in his illustrious career.But he looks set to break that curse with the Bavarian club this season. Leverkusen are piling the pressure on and play fourth placed side SC Freiburg on Sunday. Many expected Kane to win his first trophy in his debut campaign, as Bayern had won 10 league titles in a row.But an invincible campaign by Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen ensured his wait for a trophy dragged on yet further.Read More on The SunKane has scored 60 goals in his 61 Bundesliga matches for Bayern so far. He is also on track to become the first player to win the top scorer title in both of his first two Bundesliga seasons.Kane will have the chance to make things right against Borussia MönchengladbachCredit: Getty More