Kompany to make late call on Kane's fitness for Bayern's Champions League quarter-final

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ShareHarry Kane has been struggling with an ankle injury ahead of Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Real Madrid.Vincent Kompany revealed he would make a late decision on Harry Kane's involvement for Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid. Kane has been struggling with an ankle injury and missed England's international friendly defeat to Japan as well as Bayern's dramatic 3-2 win over Freiburg on Saturday. The 32-year-old has been in sensational form for the defending Bundesliga champions in 2025-26, netting 48 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions. He is also the only English player ever to score 10+ goals in consecutive European Cup/Champions League campaigns (11 in 2024-25, 10 in 2025-26) and has netted more goals in the competition than any other player since joining Bayern (29 in 34 games).But Kompany explained that no risks will be taken with Kane ahead of their trip to Estadio Bernabeu to face 15-time winners Madrid this Tuesday. "Harry's part of the team so that's positive for us. We have to wait until tomorrow to get the final information, then we will make our decision," Kompamy told reporters. "It was important that he did a lot of training today. I don't think he's lost his rhythm."Joshua Kimmich also underlined the importance of Kane, saying: "How many goals has he scored? How many assists does he have? Forty or 50 this season?"This shows how important he is – apart from all the goals – extremely vital for our game."We are glad he is here with us. He is not only a poacher or a selfish goalscorer, just trying to score as many goals as he can for us."He is an absolute leader who is always trying to have the maximum success for the team. This is a very special mindset for an attacking player. He's a role model."Kompany fielded several questions on Kane's fitness, and added: "Harry Kane knows how important this game is, but it is important to take a decision with each player."You keep asking about Harry Kane and to be honest I like it. I don't mind but I don't give you an answer."Madrid v Bayern is already the most-played fixture in major European competition history. All 28 of their meetings have come in the European Cup/Champions League, with 26 of them taking place in the knockout stages.But the Bundesliga giants are winless in their last nine games against Madrid (D2 L7). They have not gone 10+ matches without a win against an opponent across all competitions since the period between 1988 and 1993 versus Werder Bremen (a 12-game run).Los Blancos have also won all four of their Champions League knockout stage games this season, while Alvaro Arbeloa could become only the third manager to win his first five knockout matches in the competition, after Hansi Flick (five in 2019-20 with Bayern) and Luis Enrique (five in 2014-15 with Barcelona).Kompany acknowledged the task awaiting his Bayern team, but insisted his team were ready. "Everything will matter tomorrow. This is my first time here as a coach, but we have a lot of experience in games like this," Kompany said."The outcome will be decided in part by tactics, but above all by the little things - such as the individual quality of the players."We've prepared for Real and we've seen what they did against City. It's perhaps the toughest away game you can play, but we want to win."Harry Kane has been struggling with an ankle injury ahead of Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Real Madrid.Vincent Kompany revealed he would make a late decision on Harry Kane's involvement for Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid. Kane has been struggling with an ankle injury and missed England's international friendly defeat to Japan as well as Bayern's dramatic 3-2 win over Freiburg on Saturday. The 32-year-old has been in sensational form for the defending Bundesliga champions in 2025-26, netting 48 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions. He is also the only English player ever to score 10+ goals in consecutive European Cup/Champions League campaigns (11 in 2024-25, 10 in 2025-26) and has netted more goals in the competition than any other player since joining Bayern (29 in 34 games).But Kompany explained that no risks will be taken with Kane ahead of their trip to Estadio Bernabeu to face 15-time winners Madrid this Tuesday. "Harry's part of the team so that's positive for us. We have to wait until tomorrow to get the final information, then we will make our decision," Kompamy told reporters. "It was important that he did a lot of training today. I don't think he's lost his rhythm."Joshua Kimmich also underlined the importance of Kane, saying: "How many goals has he scored? How many assists does he have? Forty or 50 this season?"This shows how important he is – apart from all the goals – extremely vital for our game."We are glad he is here with us. He is not only a poacher or a selfish goalscorer, just trying to score as many goals as he can for us."He is an absolute leader who is always trying to have the maximum success for the team. This is a very special mindset for an attacking player. He's a role model."Kompany fielded several questions on Kane's fitness, and added: "Harry Kane knows how important this game is, but it is important to take a decision with each player."You keep asking about Harry Kane and to be honest I like it. I don't mind but I don't give you an answer."Madrid v Bayern is already the most-played fixture in major European competition history. All 28 of their meetings have come in the European Cup/Champions League, with 26 of them taking place in the knockout stages.But the Bundesliga giants are winless in their last nine games against Madrid (D2 L7). They have not gone 10+ matches without a win against an opponent across all competitions since the period between 1988 and 1993 versus Werder Bremen (a 12-game run).Los Blancos have also won all four of their Champions League knockout stage games this season, while Alvaro Arbeloa could become only the third manager to win his first five knockout matches in the competition, after Hansi Flick (five in 2019-20 with Bayern) and Luis Enrique (five in 2014-15 with Barcelona).Kompany acknowledged the task awaiting his Bayern team, but insisted his team were ready. "Everything will matter tomorrow. This is my first time here as a coach, but we have a lot of experience in games like this," Kompany said."The outcome will be decided in part by tactics, but above all by the little things - such as the individual quality of the players."We've prepared for Real and we've seen what they did against City. It's perhaps the toughest away game you can play, but we want to win."