Harry Kane to give Bayern the edge against Hoffenheim
Bayern Munich kick off the year with their Bundesliga match against visiting Hoffenheim on Friday, hoping to cut the gap to leaders Bayer Leverkusen as the league resumes after a threeweek winter break.
Overshadowed by the death of Germany and Bayern great Franz Beckenbauer last week, the Bundesliga restart will be no easy task for coach Thomas Tuchel’s team, in second place, four points behind Leverkusen but with a game in hand.
Beckenbauer, who died on Sunday aged 78, was Germany’s first truly global sports star, and helped establish Bayern as a European soccer heavyweight.
The Bavarians, chasing a record 12th straight league crown, have been far from dominant this season, with their erratic defence a source of constant concern.
Bayern have yet to get active on the transfer market despite pressure from Tuchel to sign up a defender, and with Hoffenheim having scored on average twice in each of their 16 league games this season they are set to pose a serious attacking threat.
The visitors, however, have their own defensive work cut out as they attempt to stop Bayern striker Harry Kane, who has netted an impressive 21 times so far in the Bundesliga.
The England captain, in his first season in Germany, became the most expensive Bundesliga transfer ever after a €100m move from Tottenham Hotspur. The move has paid off so far.
“There is not much that needs to be said. Harry Kane is a world- class striker with a lot of experience at the highest level. He is captain of the England national team,” said Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. “He moves in such a clever way and his finish is outstanding. Defensively we will need a super day.”
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen have no easier task, travelling to Augsburg on Saturday without their injured top striker, Victor Boniface and a string of others.
The Nigerian, who bagged 10 goals and set up another seven in his first Bundesliga season, underwent surgery for an adductor muscle injury and will be out of action until April.
Leverkusen are also missing Odilon Kossounou, Edmond Tapsoba and Amine Adli, all on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations as they resume their hunt for an elusive first Bundesliga title for the club.
● Jadon Sancho has rejoined Borussia Dortmund on loan from Manchester United, both clubs confirmed on Thursday, bringing an end to the attacker's exile from football over a disciplinary issue.
United will pay a portion of Sancho's wages during his loan, reports in British media said.
The England international joined United from Dortmund for €85m in August 2021, signing a five-year deal, but failed to hold down a regular spot and has made just three appearances this season after becoming embroiled in a row with manager Erik ten Hag.
“Sancho will now return to Germany on a temporary basis as Borussia Dortmund prepare to resume their Bundesliga campaign after a winter break,” United said in a statement.
Sancho was made to train away from the United first team after saying in a now deleted statement on social media he had been made a “scapegoat” after his omission from their squad for the 3-1 defeat by Arsenal on September 3.