Musiala is unbelievable: Careless FC Bayern is worried about record striker Kane

Musiala is elusive
Careless FC Bayern is worried about record striker Kane

March 16, 2024, 9:37 p.m

FC Bayern is hungry for goals at the Darmstadt Böllenfalltor. Jamal Musiala is unstoppable. However, the favorite needs a wake-up call – and experiences a moment of shock for its goalscorer. Meanwhile, captain Manuel Neuer warns despite the great victory.

Darmstadt is now the place where Harry Kane has achieved something that he had previously failed to achieve as a professional. For the first time in his career, he scored 31 goals in a league season (and there could be more). There would certainly have been more dazzling places for such a big moment, but the venerable Böllenfalltor is not lacking in rocky charm. You have to celebrate the festivals as they come. Although FC Bayern’s outstanding star striker had less reason to do so on this Saturday afternoon. In addition to his 31st goal (headed to make it 2-1), with which he took away a 60-year-old Bundesliga record from Uwe Seeler – never before had a player scored so many goals in his first Bundesliga season – the 30-year-old had Big pain.

After a fine crossbar from the magical Jamal Musiala, Kane wanted to do what he always does, for which the Munich team paid around 100 million euros last summer. He wanted to push the ball over the line. He hit the post unhappily and twisted his ankle. The ball wasn’t in there either. Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team was able to cope with this circumstance much better than a possible failure of the top scorer in their confident 5:2 (2:1) win. Nothing specific is known yet, but the coach is sounding the alarm. “That didn’t look good. Normally he’s not one to go out. When Harry goes out there’s always a bit of cause for concern,” said Tuchel. “We hope that the moment of shock remains.”

Curious scene: Kane also damaged the goal net with his powerful impact, referee Tobias Reichel was given tape and took over the necessary repair work.

“He won’t take any chances”

For now it’s just a few worried thoughts about Kane. According to sports director Christoph Freund, the 30-year-old will still travel to the English national team and be checked out by his medical examiner. “We are in close coordination. He won’t take any risks,” said Freund and added: “We hope that it’s not that bad and that he’ll be back on the pitch soon.” A failure would be bad news, especially with a view to the Champions League and the quarter-final duels with Arsenal FC. Kane cannot be replaced.

This also applies to Jamal Musiala in these weeks. After a slight dip in performance after the winter break, the 20-year-old has been playing at an outstanding level again for weeks. The newcomer, who hadn’t won in the league for ages, was dismantled into all its individual parts by the furious offensive player. No Darmstadt resident was able to disrupt Musiala’s circles. In the first half he quickly prevented the hosts from developing any greater belief in a sensation. Musiala corrected the 0-1 (28th, Tim Skarke) from the visitors’ perspective with a dry shot (36th) after a remarkable attack via Aleksandar Pavlovic, who like Kane had to be replaced.

Quick all-clear for Pavlovic

Pavlovic was quickly given the all-clear by the record champions’ medical department. The 19-year-old midfield talent will travel to the German national team for the first time as planned on Monday, although he was unable to continue due to a daze. “It’s nothing bad, thank God,” Pavlovic explained with a swollen left eye. He collided with Oscar Vilhelmsson in the second half.

After the break it became more and more magical. The 3-1 came after Musiala’s enchanting solo run. He prepared the 4-1 with a wonderful pass to Serge Gnabry. Then the ball hit the crossbar and Kane hit the post. Art and concern in his scene. “He has a very good level and is decisive for us in the game. He feels comfortable and is fit. The decision-making between dribbling and passing is very good at the moment,” said Tuchel, praising the outstanding midfielder. And the Darmstadt coach couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for Musiala despite the bankruptcy. “If you’re not directly involved as an opposing team, it’s a real pleasure to watch the boy. Germany is lucky that we have such a player. With him we can become European champions,” said Torsten Lieberknecht.

“We weren’t attentive enough”

Manuel Neuer should become another pillar in the DFB team. After his long period of injury and top performances at the club, he is returning to national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for the upcoming international matches. The 37-year-old, who has just become a father, currently has many good reasons to be floating on a cloud. But from his point of view, the team’s performance at the Böllenfalltor wasn’t entirely part of it.

Conceding two goals against the bottom team, two aluminum goals and a spectacular display of work in the first half, that bothered the captain more than the offensive party. “That’s clearly too much. We have to talk about it,” said Neuer about the defensive mistakes that didn’t go unnoticed by Tuchel. “We weren’t attentive enough,” said the Bayern coach. However, this did not dampen his joy at the overall confident performance of the defending champions, who reduced the gap to leaders Bayer Leverkusen to seven points, at least for one night. “We are happy that we were able to continue our run. Our goal was to win the game. That’s what we did,” summarized Tuchel.