Kane, Bayern set sights on Champions League tilt after near-misses

Munich: Bayern Munich have made it clear their main objective for the current season is to secure a Champions League victory, following recent narrow misses in previous clashes. Harry Kane, the England captain and Bayern player, expressed his belief that "it has to be our year" this time around. In the last season, Bayern lost a heartbreaking semi-final match against eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who triumphed 5-4 on aggregate after a 5-4 first-leg win and a 1-1 draw in Munich.

The latter match was particularly contentious, with PSG emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out to claim their second consecutive title. Bayern set their sights on their seventh European Cup campaign this season, starting at home against Norwegian team Bodo/Glimt on Thursday. Former Bayern midfielder and 2013 winner Bastian Schweinsteiger noted that only a lack of squad depth could impede Bayern's chances of winning the trophy, especially considering the demanding season ahead.

Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany, has emphasized the Champions League as a primary target alongside their domestic dominance, stating that "The goals with Bayern are always the highest: winning the Bundesliga, winning the Pokal (German Cup), winning the Champions League - and maybe even winning every game." Kane echoed this sentiment, saying, "We're really close.

I think last year was the finest of margins - to go out to a team who has won the Champions League back-to-back. There's no shame in that. We're coming into this season now saying that it needs to be our year. We need to find a way to get it done." The England captain has been no stranger to near-misses in his career, having experienced several close calls both for Bayern and the national team.

Despite his team's lack of trophies, Kane has managed to accumulate five since joining Bayern, including two Bundesliga titles and a German Cup. He acknowledged that success often requires "a bit of luck at the right moment." Recent additions such as Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown have bolstered Bayern's squad with depth and versatility, providing additional options across various positions.

However, concerns remain about the impact of potential injuries, particularly surrounding Jamal Musiala, who recently revealed he has a neurological disorder that could lead to seizures. Despite this uncertainty, Bayern's dominance in the Bundesliga and the availability of strong bench players, as observed during their semi-final clash against PSG, could prove crucial in their pursuit of the Champions League title.