Harry Kane knows exactly what Bayern Munich is walking into when they take on Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night. The Spanish side has built its reputation on defensive organization, physicality, and an ability to punish opponents on the counterattack, and the Bayern striker is expecting a difficult challenge at the Metropolitano.
Kane, who will be facing Atlético Madrid for the first time in his career, spoke about the threat posed by Diego Simeone’s side.
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“I expect a tough game. It’s my first time playing Atlético Madrid, we know what they bring, we know how dangerous they can be in attack on transitions. We know defensively they can be really solid, really compact, can be tough to break down. They’ll be physical, they’ll try and make it tough for us, they’ll press us, especially in their stadium. So, we have to be ready for a really big battle tomorrow night,” said Kane (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Simeone has also been complimentary of Kane, and the England captain was understandably pleased to receive recognition from one of football’s most respected managers. Kane reflected on his journey, the challenges he faced early in his career, and the reaction to winning the Ballon d’Or.
“Thank you to Simeone. One of the best coaches there’s been in our modern era, so yeah, to have this compliment from someone like him obviously gives me a lot of pride. I think since the Ballon d’Or there’s been a great reaction, and maybe because my journey is a little bit different to some of the other Ballon d’Or winners and, the hard moments I had to go through, especially early in my career, maybe people didn’t expect me to reach the levels that I have now, but through hard work and determination and resilience, I’ve been able to do that. Of course it’ll be a great battle tomorrow night, and I’m sure he’ll be doing his best to try and stop me and the team, but of course I appreciate those kind words from him,” said Kane.
There is also some unfinished business for Kane at the Metropolitano. The stadium was the setting for Tottenham’s defeat to Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final, a painful memory that he would certainly like to replace with something considerably more positive.
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“Right now it isn’t the best memory in my life, that’s for sure. But I’m looking forward to being back here. It’s an incredible stadium and I’ve heard the fans tomorrow are going to be at a high, high level, so I can’t wait to experience that as well. But yeah, this is the football journey. Sometimes you have good memories in stadiums, sometimes you don’t. Hopefully we can have a good memory tomorrow. I play again here next week with England against Spain, and then hopefully at the end of the year we’re back again for the Champions League final. So I have a chance, and we have a chance to raise that painful memory from 2019 for sure,” Kane stated.
For Kane, Tuesday presents an opportunity to make a much better memory in a stadium that has previously brought heartbreak. For Bayern Munich, it is another major test of their European credentials against an opponent that will relish making life uncomfortable.
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