Kane in pain as Kompany hints at Bayern changes
Vincent Kompany could shuffle his pack when Bayern Munich visits St Pauli in the Bundesliga after admitting Harry Kane played through the pain barrier in a midweek UEFA Champions League success against Real Madrid.
Bayern produced a fantastic display in the first leg of its quarter-final tie against the 15-time European champion, securing a 2-1 win at Santiago Bernabeu.
Kane scored what proved to be the winner early in the second half, stroking home from outside the area for his 49th goal of the season in all competitions.
Since last summer's FIFA Club World Cup, the England captain has scored at least 10 more goals than any other player from Europe's top five leagues – Kylian Mbappe has netted 39 for Real Madrid – while he also has the most outright goal contributions with 54.
Kane is also looking to break Robert Lewandowski's single-season Bundesliga goal record as Bayern closes in on a second successive title.
He needs 11 more goals to overhaul the Poland international's return from 2020-2021, albeit with just six matches to play.
Kompany admitted ahead of the Pauli clash that the striker felt some discomfort in Spain, but he does not foresee any long-term effects, saying: "Harry Kane was fine after the game.
"He played a bit beyond the pain threshold but the next day there was no reaction, and that's the most important thing."
Asked more generally about squad rotation, Kompany said: "We have to look at what we've done this season, and we are only at this point on April 10 because the whole team has been involved.
"If we make one or two changes, that's what we have been doing all season. In November or October, you could have asked whether it was right or not. But when we've come this far, you can't ask that any more.
"The competition in the squad is also fierce. I'm familiar with that from my playing career. I appreciate that we're raising our level. I don't know who will play yet, I'll be thinking about that tonight."
Bayern teenager Lennart Karl will certainly be sidelined for some time with a thigh muscle injury.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season and is a serious contender for a spot on Germany's FIFA World Cup squad in May. The midfielder has scored five goals and delivered four assists in the Bundesliga alone.
"Lennart Karl has torn a muscle in his right rear thigh. The diagnosis was confirmed by the FC Bayern medical unit," a club statement read.
"It means the 18-year-old attacking midfielder will be sidelined for the foreseeable future."
While Bayern only needs a maximum of 10 points to win the title, St Pauli is scrapping for survival at the other end of the table, and currently occupies the relegation-promotion play-off spot.
Asked about the challenge of facing Bayern, head coach Alexander Blessin said: "They're one of the best teams in the world at the moment. It's a pleasure to lock horns with them.
"We've got little to lose and we'll give it our best shot. We need to have a good day, though. Out of 10 games, they would usually win all 10, but maybe they'll have an off day for once."
Pauli will also be without Australian skipper Jackson Irvine, who is suspended after his red card in a 1-1 draw with Union Berlin last time out.
