Bayern Munich’s star striker Harry Kane is looking to end his scoring drought as the Bundesliga leaders prepare for a tough away fixture against Freiburg on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen faces a critical test at RB Leipzig, knowing a win could close the gap at the top of the table.
Kane’s Struggles in Front of Goal
Despite being the Bundesliga’s leading scorer with 16 goals in 16 games, Harry Kane has been struggling to find the back of the net from open play. The England captain has gone seven consecutive matches in all competitions without scoring from open play, with his last such goal coming in November. However, Kane’s consistency from the penalty spot has kept him on top of the scoring charts. He has converted two penalties during this dry spell, extending his streak to 27 successful spot-kicks since his infamous miss against France in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals.
Kane’s recent dip in form was evident during Bayern’s 3-0 Champions League loss to Feyenoord on Wednesday. Despite dominating possession, Bayern failed to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities, with Kane himself missing several chances. Having missed four matches in December due to a hamstring injury, the 31-year-old is still working his way back to peak fitness.
“Of course, we need his goals,” said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl. “He’s probably more critical of himself than anyone else. If anyone can handle a dip in form, it’s Harry Kane.”
Bayern’s Challenge Against Freiburg
Bayern heads into the Freiburg match looking to rebound from their midweek defeat. Freiburg, currently eighth in the table, has been formidable at home, losing just once in nine games at their Black Forest fortress. Head coach Julian Schuster believes Bayern’s recent loss could fuel their motivation.
“When a team loses, there’s automatically a bit of extra spice next time around,” Schuster said. “We know what it means when Bayern suffer a loss.”
Schuster also emphasized the importance of exploiting Bayern’s vulnerabilities, which were exposed during their Champions League defeat. A strong performance at home could potentially derail Bayern’s title charge.
Leverkusen’s Crucial Clash with Leipzig
Leverkusen, the defending champions, travels to RB Leipzig in a high-stakes matchup on Saturday. Xabi Alonso’s side currently sits second in the Bundesliga and could reduce Bayern’s lead to just one point if they win and Bayern slips up against Freiburg. However, Leverkusen also faced a setback midweek, losing 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League despite an early lead.
RB Leipzig, 10 points adrift of Leverkusen, remains the only team to have beaten them in the Bundesliga since May 2023, securing a 3-2 victory in August. Leipzig defender David Raum acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “Leverkusen are another caliber of team, but we’ll make it as difficult as possible for them.”
A battle of the Dutch. pic.twitter.com/0GzR8W2FFo
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) January 24, 2025
Patrik Schick’s sensational form has been a key factor for Leverkusen, with the Czech striker scoring 12 goals in his last eight matches, all from open play. Schick’s prolific scoring has eased the absence of Victor Boniface, who could return to the squad this weekend.
Dortmund’s Struggles and Coaching Shake-Up
Borussia Dortmund continues to languish in the lower half of the table, sitting in 10th place after a dismal run of form. A 2-1 Champions League defeat at Bologna earlier this week led to the sacking of head coach Nuri Sahin. Interim coach Mike Tullberg has been tasked with revitalizing the team ahead of their home clash with Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Dortmund has won just one of their past nine matches across all competitions, and their away form has been particularly concerning. With six losses in nine away games, they hold the third-worst record in the Bundesliga. A win against Werder Bremen could provide much-needed momentum as they attempt to climb up the standings.
Other Key Bundesliga Storylines
- Bayer Leverkusen’s Winning Streak: Alonso’s side has won their last eight league matches, a testament to their consistency and depth.
- Benjamin Sesko’s Scoring Form: The Leipzig striker has scored in his last five Bundesliga outings, posing a significant threat to Leverkusen’s defense.
- Borussia Dortmund’s Woes: Dortmund’s away record of six losses in nine games highlights their struggles this season, adding urgency to their matchup against Werder Bremen.
What’s at Stake?
For Bayern Munich, the match against Freiburg is not just an opportunity to maintain their lead at the top but also a chance to restore confidence, particularly for Harry Kane. Leverkusen, on the other hand, has an eye on overtaking Bayern if results go their way. Their clash with Leipzig will test their mettle against a team that has historically posed challenges.
Meanwhile, Freiburg has the potential to disrupt Bayern’s title ambitions with a strong home performance. Dortmund, reeling from recent setbacks, faces a critical juncture in their season as they aim to climb out of mid-table mediocrity.
Predictions and Outlook
As the Bundesliga title race intensifies, the weekend’s fixtures could have significant implications. While Bayern remains the team to beat, Leverkusen’s consistency and Schick’s scoring form could tip the scales in their favor. Leipzig and Freiburg will relish the chance to upset the established order, while Dortmund’s new coach will hope for an immediate turnaround.
The spotlight, however, will be on Harry Kane. Can the England captain rediscover his scoring touch and lead Bayern to victory? Or will Freiburg exploit their vulnerabilities and create more drama in the Bundesliga title race? Football fans won’t have to wait long for the answers.
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