Kompany to make late call on Kane fitness
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.
The 32 year-old has been in sensational form for the defending Bundesliga champion in 2025-2026, netting 48 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions.
He is also the only English player ever to score 10-plus goals in consecutive European Cup/Champions League campaigns and has netted more goals in the competition than any other player since joining Bayern.
Kompany explained that no risks will be taken with Kane ahead of he trip to Estadio Bernabeu to face 15-time winner Madrid on Wednesday.
"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," Kompany said.
"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's clash 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 giant is winless in its last nine games against Madrid. It has not gone more than ten matches without a win against an opponent across all competitions since the period between 1988 and 1993 against Werder Bremen.
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 and Luis Enrique.
Kompany acknowledged the task awaiting his Bayern team, but insisted his side is 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."
