Why isn’t Harry Kane playing for Bayern against Shakhtar today in the Champions League?

Bayern Munich’s league phase campaign in the 2024/25 Champions League hasn’t gone according to plan so far, with defeats away to Aston Villa and Barcelona leaving them outside the top eight places after five games. That puts additional pressure on the matchday six clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, in which they are without star striker Harry Kane.

The England captain has scored goals for fun since moving to Germany in the summer of 2023, netting 44 times in 45 games in his debut season. This term, his goals-per-game ratio is even higher, with 20 goals in 19 appearances, including five in five in the Champions League.

What injury does Harry Kane have?

Kane won’t be adding to his tally against Shakhtar, however. The 31-year-old was forced off the field with a thigh injury in Bayern’s 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund on November 30, which has caused him to miss the DFB Pokal defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga victory over Heidenheim.

The former Spurs attacker has resumed training but head coach Vincent Kompany has opted not to risk him against Shakhtar in Gelsenkirchen. Attention nows turns to Saturday’s game away to Mainz, although the Bavarians’ six-point lead at the top of the table means they may not risk him until they are sure he has fully recovered.

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