England and Bayern Munich fans were left holding their breath as star striker Harry Kane was unexpectedly substituted during his team's 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening.
Early Exit Raises Concerns
The £100 million signing was withdrawn in the 80th minute, replaced by Mathys Tel, despite being just minutes away from completing the match. The timing of the substitution immediately sparked concerns about the England captain's fitness.
Kane had already made his mark on the game, scoring Bayern's crucial second goal from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, taking his remarkable tally to 15 goals in just 10 Bundesliga appearances since his summer transfer from Tottenham.
Tuchel Provides Reassurance
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel moved quickly to allay fears, explaining the decision was purely precautionary. "Harry felt some numbness in his ankle," Tuchel revealed in his post-match comments. "It's nothing serious - we simply didn't want to take any unnecessary risks."
The German coach emphasised that the substitution was a preventative measure rather than a response to a serious injury. "He could have continued playing if absolutely necessary, but with the match secured, there was no reason to push him through any discomfort."
International Duties Loom
The timing of this scare is particularly significant with England's final Euro 2024 qualifiers approaching. Gareth Southgate's side faces Malta at Wembley on November 17th, followed by a trip to North Macedonia three days later.
Kane's importance to the Three Lions cannot be overstated. The 30-year-old recently scored twice in England's 3-1 victory over Italy that secured their qualification for next summer's tournament in Germany.
Bayern's Packed Schedule
Beyond international concerns, Bayern face a demanding fixture list themselves. The German giants travel to face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, where victory would guarantee their progression to the knockout stages.
Tuchel's cautious approach suggests the club is keen to protect their record signing, with Kane having started all 10 Bundesliga matches and four Champions League games since his arrival in Munich.
Medical staff at Bayern Munich will continue to monitor Kane's condition throughout the coming days, with both club and country hoping the prolific striker will be fully fit for the challenges ahead.
