Tuchel wants Bayern to pump the ball more for Kane

Italy Before the match against Lazio in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, coach Thomas Tuchel asked Bayern players to create many opportunities to maximize the ability of striker Harry Kane.

Kane has scored 28 goals in 28 games in all competitions since joining Bayern for a total fee of $132 million - a German football record - in the summer of 2023.

But the English striker is being criticized for his lackluster performance in the 0-3 loss at Leverkusen in round 21 of the Bundesliga last weekend. In this match, Kane played the full 90 minutes, touched the ball 18 times, did not dribble or make any key passes, and only had one shot that was blocked. The 0-3 defeat left the "Gray Tigers" five points behind Leverkusen and at risk of ending their 11-time Bundesliga championship streak.

Ahead of the Lazio game, Tuchel sees maximizing Kane’s influence as key to Bayern getting back on track. “It’s rare for Kane to have so few touches,” the German coach said at a press conference in Rome on February 13. “We didn’t give Kane enough of the ball, and we need to help him have more influence on the game. We need to fix that.”

Harry Kane shoots during Bayern's 0-3 loss to Leverkusen at Bay Arena in round 21 of the Bundesliga on February 10. Photo: AFP — Harry Kane shoots during Bayern's 0-3 loss to Leverkusen at Bay Arena in round 21 of the Bundesliga on February 10. Photo: *AFP*

Similarly, also attending the press conference, captain goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said Kane was lackluster because Bayern's system did not work well against Leverkusen. "I think the team played unwisely, did not play according to the plan, so everything was more difficult for Kane," Neuer said. "We need to give Kane more balls. Since the beginning of the season, he has always made good use of the ball in dangerous spaces. We have to give the ball to Kane in these dangerous spaces, then we can win."

Lazio are in the Champions League Round of 16 for the third time as Group E runners-up behind Atletico Madrid. Their last appearance in this round was in 2021, when Lazio lost 6-2 on aggregate to Bayern. In Serie A, Maurizio Sarri's side are eighth with 37 points from 23 games. They have won five, drawn one and lost one of their last seven games, including a 3-1 win at Cagliari last weekend.

However, Tuchel rated Lazio as very strong when playing at home and cited the 1-0 derby win over Roma in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup as an example. He analyzed that Lazio often played with 4-3-3 and 4-1-4-1 formations, with disciplined play, a lot of running, synchronization, intense pressing and very solid defense. "This is a good opportunity against a good opponent, in a new tournament. The two teams have a 50-50 chance," Tuchel expressed.

When asked if Bayern underestimated Lazio, the 50-year-old coach replied: "I can't imagine anyone underestimating this match, especially after what happened in the last match. It's important not to just criticize yourself but the players must be confident to show their best."

Matthijs de Ligt did not play in the defeat to Leverkusen and is expected to return to the starting line-up today. Tuchel explained that the Dutch centre-back had a back problem and was being treated in the hotel before the game and decided not to risk him playing. "De Ligt has a 5% chance of playing, but I don't want to gamble with the other 5%," he said.

Hong Duy

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