Ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Arsenal on Wednesday, England international Harry Kane says this season will be a “failure” if his club side Bayern Munich fails to claim silverware.
Kane, who is still on the hunt for the first-ever silverware of his illustrious career, moved to the Bavarian side last summer in the hopes of ending his title misfortunes. However, Bayern have struggled this season, and they currently face the possibility of ending the season trophyless for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign.
Having already lost the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen and getting knocked out in the second round of the DFB Pokal by third-tier side Saarbrucken, Kane reiterated that the season will be viewed as a failed one if they don’t get their hands on a trophy.
“Of course, you know, from the club’s point of view it will be a failed season if we don’t win anything this year because we’re expected to win,” Kane said. “But then all we can do is take that into next year and try and turn that around.
“So, yeah, I think there’s a harsh, you know, reality in winning and losing and of course, you can do a lot of good things throughout the year and still end up on the losing side. So, I don’t think it’s as harsh as that.
“You know, there’s a lot of things that go into it, but I think the main thing for us right now is that we still have an opportunity to turn this season into a great season if we win the Champions League. So, that motivation is still there, and as players, you can only hang on to that. And, yeah, if we can do something special tomorrow night then of course that keeps that hope alive.”
Destiny awaits ⌛️#UCL pic.twitter.com/xeKMbGHo3l
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 17, 2024
The former Tottenham Hotspur forward also added that although the encounter at the Allianz Arena is against his former side’s city rivals, he is more focused on helping Bayern defeat a “good Arsenal side”.
“Yeah, I think for me personally, I think it’s something that’s probably built up more from the outside, from the media, from the fans, rather than me myself,” the Three Lions captain said.
“You know, of course I had a lot of history with Arsenal playing for Spurs for so many years, and that North London Derby obviously was probably the biggest game of the season every year when I was in the Premier League. But for me here, you know, it’s a different chapter, it’s a different moment for me. I’m playing obviously for a different team. So, my focus is on trying to beat a really good side in Arsenal.
“And also, of course I know there’ll be a lot of Spurs fans watching as well, hoping that, you know, Bayern Munich go through tomorrow night. But, yeah, I can’t focus on that. All I can do is just, you know, try and beat the team in front of us, and that’s Arsenal.”
Unbeaten in our last 1️⃣4️⃣ home games in the #UCL 👊
More stats ahead of the second leg 👉 https://t.co/BHEIUCsquX#MiaSanMia #FCBARS pic.twitter.com/sSGExX2f1o
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) April 17, 2024
Kane, who scored from the penalty spot to put Thomas Tuchel’s side in front last Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium in a game that ended in a 2-2 draw, got his 15th goal in 20 appearances against Arsenal.
Former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry was Bayern’s other scorer in the first leg, while Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard were both on target for the Gunners.
The records are in Bayern’s favour, as they have only lost one of their previous six home matches against Arsenal in the Champions League, winning four and playing out a draw just once. The six-time European champions are also unbeaten in 14 Champions League matches at home.
