When Harry Kane slashed Thomas Muller’s cutback over the Lazio bar seven minutes into the Champions League last-16 first leg, the Bayern Munich ahead wouldn’t have anticipated that may be his finest probability all evening.
However Kane was left annoyed for the remaining 83 minutes plus added time as Bayern fell to defeat in Rome, a penalty from Ciro Motionless the distinction on an evening when the German giants – and their star striker – underwhelmed as soon as once more.
In a season which began so brightly for Kane, that is changing into a worrying theme and one which is pervading the whole Bayern crew. The facet who’ve received the Bundesliga for the previous 11 seasons are at risk of ending this marketing campaign and not using a trophy.
In addition to trailing to Lazio going into the second leg in Munich on 5 March, Bayern are additionally out of the German Cup having been surprised by third division Saarbrucken. Kane already missed out on a trophy in his first sport together with his new membership, after they have been hammered 3-0 by RB Leipzig within the German Tremendous Cup.
All that is on high of their perilous place within the Bundesliga title race, after a 3-0 defeat to leaders Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday – a scoreline which truly flattered Bayern – which leaves them 5 factors off the tempo.
Kane had one shot in that match, whereas towards Lazio he did not get an effort on course – as did his team-mates, with Bayern having 17 photographs with out troubling keeper Ivan Provedel.
It was not purported to be like this for Kane following his transfer from Tottenham final summer season, nor did it look like it was going to be within the first half of the marketing campaign.
Kane scored 22 objectives in his first 16 matches – however simply six in his previous 12 video games. Hardly a horrible return, however sufficient of a drop-off to show the evident flaws in Bayern.
“He isn’t having the identical kind of influence within the final couple of weeks that he did earlier on within the season,” European soccer knowledgeable Raphael Honegstein advised BBC 5 Stay. “He appears to be like a shadow of that participant now.”
‘Tuchel is below rising strain’
With out Kane firing on double cylinders, Bayern look misplaced. They’ve failed to attain in two consecutive video games in all competitions for the primary time since Could 2015, after they went three successive matches and not using a purpose below Pep Guardiola.
Defeats to Leverkusen and Lazio within the house of 5 days additionally signify Bayern’s first back-to-back losses since December 2019, when Hansi Flick was caretaker supervisor.
“A very robust week”, Kane advised TNT Sports activities. “Within the first half we began nicely and had clear possibilities, one for myself. In these video games they’re large moments. The second half was disappointing. We got here out with much less power and fewer confidence. We acquired punished.
“We’re in a troublesome spell. We’ve got to battle. We’ve got to show it spherical.”
The one man below extra strain in Munich than Kane now could be his supervisor, Thomas Tuchel, for whom ending a Bayern season and not using a main trophy would absolutely show deadly to his job prospects.
The Lazio loss is his tenth in 43 aggressive matches as Bayern coach, already as many defeats as his predecessor Julian Nagelsmann suffered in 84 video games in cost.
“Thomas Tuchel is a person below rising strain now,” Chris Sutton advised BBC 5 Stay. “His crew have gotten to show it round in Bavaria in a few weeks’ time.
“This tie is nicely and actually on. I nonetheless again Bayern to show it round however Lazio have given themselves an opportunity now.”
Sutton should have faith in Bayern, however the statistics say in any other case.
Bayern have been eradicated on the previous seven events they’ve misplaced a Champions League first leg, a run going again to 2015.
‘Bayern are taking part in ugly soccer’
Tuchel lower an more and more annoyed determine on the Stadio Olimpico sideline as his uninspired facet failed repeatedly to interrupt by means of the organised Lazio defence, normally whereas taking part in at close to strolling tempo.
Bayern have been hobbled by being lowered to 10 males when Dayot Upamecano was despatched off for the foul which resulted in Motionless’s profitable penalty, however they nonetheless appeared bereft of concepts past pumping balls in the direction of Kane or hoping the England captain might conjure some magic from a set-piece.
“Bayern are taking part in ugly soccer,” Rio Ferdinand advised TNT Sports activities.
“I would not guess towards Lazio going there [to Germany] and stifling them once more. Bayern have a insecurity, they’re in a rut and I do not see how they’re going to get out of it earlier than the second leg.
“If they do not have good leads to the league earlier than then I do not know the way they flip it round.”
The one saving grace for Tuchel is an consciousness from an skilled facet, nonetheless that includes most of the names which received Bayern’s final Champions League in 2020, that they need to enhance and confidence they will accomplish that.
“Optimistic is the improper phrase, however I am assured,” Thomas Muller advised DAZN.
“We all know we’ve got it in us, even when we did not present it tonight. And who’s to say issues will not look so much totally different in three weeks’ time.”
Three weeks is a very long time in soccer – a lot for Kane to get again among the many objectives. However with a tough league match towards RB Leipzig this weekend, issues might get even worse.