Bayern Munich’s season so far has been shaped by two things: a concerning injury list and the presence of Harry Kane. The two storylines are becoming increasingly connected, and as key players like Alphonso Davies, Manuel Neuer, and Serge Gnarby become sidelined throughout the season, Kane has been the constant, ever-present, and ever-dangerous centrepiece of almost everything positive in Bayern’s attacking play.
Kane has
scored goals at a staggering rate, with 14 already this season. That
consistency has highlighted not only how good Kane is, but also how much Bayern’s
attacking identity pivots around him.
Why
Bayern pivot around him
Kane’s
contribution goes far beyond goals, although his scoring record speaks for
itself. What truly defines his impact is how Bayern’s entire attacking identity
now flows around him. Every movement, every transition, every bit of pressure
in the final third looks cleaner and more coordinated because there is a focal
point who gives meaning to the team’s structure.
His
positioning stretches defences, creating pockets for Bayern’s wingers and
midfielders to attack. The numbers reflect it: Bayern enjoy more touches inside
the box, generate higher expected goals (xG), and convert chances more
efficiently when Kane is leading the line. When he’s on the pitch, Bayern look
balanced, confident and in control. When he isn’t, that sense of order
disappears surprisingly quickly.
Last
season’s vulnerability without Kane
Last season
offered a stark illustration of how vulnerable Bayern can become without Kane.
He missed three Bundesliga matches, and Bayern managed to win only one of them.
The second was a 2–1 defeat to Mainz, a game in which Bayern looked fragile in
every phase of play. Although chances still came, there was a noticeable lack
of authority and control. The third match was a chaotic 3–3 draw with RB
Leipzig. Bayern found goals, but they lacked both defensive structure and
collective confidence.
He was also
absent for the DFB-Pokal round of 16, a match in which Bayern never found their
rhythm and were eventually knocked out in a 1-0 defeat against Bayer
Leverkusen. Bayern still moved the ball well in spells, but without Kane, their
attacks lacked conviction, and they never resembled a side capable of turning
dominance into goals.
Who would
step up?
That raises
an uncomfortable hypothetical for Bayern: what happens if Kane were to be
injured again this season? The squad contains capable forwards, but none with
Kane’s particular blend of finishing, physical presence, intelligence and
leadership.
If Kane were
to miss time again this season, Bayern would need their most productive
attackers to carry the load. Michael Olise, with six goals and six assists,
would become the main creative force, using his dribbling and vision to
generate chances that usually run through Kane. Luis Diaz, who has six goals
and four assists, would add the direct running and aggression needed to
unsettle defences and keep Bayern threatening in the final third.
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Whether
Bayern could sustain a title push without Kane is far from clear. Last season
showed that when he’s missing, it isn’t just the goals that drop — the whole
team seems to lose its shape and confidence.
Kane has
become the player who ties everything together, the one who gives Bayern a
sense of direction and belief. If they want to avoid another wobble this year,
keeping him fit might be just as important as any tactical adjustment or new
signing they make.
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