Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane remains uncertain for their upcoming Champions League match against Aston Villa on Wednesday, according to coach Vincent Kompany. Kane, who scored four goals in Bayern’s 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in their opening match, sustained a knock in their recent 1-1 draw with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, leaving his participation in doubt.
Kompany, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, expressed cautious optimism about Kane’s condition. “Harry trained today, and things went well. But we need to wait and see till tomorrow and be sure things stay like that,” he said, adding that a decision would be made closer to the game. “Hopefully everything stays fine.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Kane’s availability, Kompany encouraged his players to embrace the challenge posed by Unai Emery’s in-form Aston Villa, who are making their first appearance in the Champions League in over 40 years. “What they did last season was extraordinary, they’ve earned it,” Kompany noted, highlighting Villa’s strong form and home atmosphere. “But Bayern are used to these nights. We want to enjoy it, and the players are hopefully up for playing here.”
Bayern forward Serge Gnabry, a former Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion player, shared his excitement about returning to play in England, emphasizing the unique atmosphere in the country’s football stadiums. “Football is often the biggest thing for people here in England, I’m looking forward to playing here tomorrow,” Gnabry said, referencing Villa’s long-awaited return to the Champions League.
This will be the second meeting between the two teams, with Villa having won their first encounter in the 1982 European Cup final, defeating Bayern 1-0 to claim their only major European trophy. Bayern will be aiming to continue their recent form and overcome the Premier League side in this eagerly awaited clash.
“Aston Villa are definitely a very good team that’s been very consistent, playing well, is physical,” Gnabry added.
“It’s a very strenuous, very tough game. They also defend very well. It won’t be easy tomorrow.
“(But) the coach demands a certain drive, high intensity so we don’t allow the opponent any chances. That’s what we’re about at the moment. It feels great that we’re so dominant again. We didn’t manage that over long stretches in recent years.
“The more dominant you are, the more chances you have, the more goals you can score. It’s a lot of fun for us at the moment in attack.”
