Harry Kane Begins Bayern Revolution With Brace In Win Over Augsburg

Some might argue, once again, that this wasn’t the most convincing performance by Bayern Munich on matchday 2 against FC Augsburg. Indeed, it was a gifted own goal by Felix Uduokhai (32’) and then a penalty converted by Harry Kane (40’) that gifted Bayern a substantial lead after the first 45 minutes. But Kane’s second goal of the game (69’) was a true beauty, and not many will even remember that Augsburg’s Dion Drena Beljo (86’) pulled one back.

“We’re not producing the level of performance that we’re producing in training, which is incredibly high,” Tuchel said after the game. “So, you need some luck and goals like the one we scored first today. In the second half, we were calmer and more precise. We created a lot of chances but unfortunately scored only one goal.”

That goal was scored by Kane and, in fact, gave a glimpse of how Bayern’s new no.9 could revolutionize the game of the Bundesliga giants. Canadian left-back Alphonso Davies played a quick one-two with Kingsley Coman on the left and then sent the ball in the box to Kane, where the Englishman finished the move with a clinical strike.

“It was a good win in the first home game of the season,” Kane said to Bayern’s club media after the game. “We created good chances, could have scored more. We still have room for improvement in the final third of the pitch. We have great quality. I love the chemistry in the team; we’re growing together more and more.”

Kane’s goal finished off a textbook attack and certainly painted over the more pedestrian type of football Bayern was playing for much of the second half leading up to the goal. But those who have observed Tuchel at his previous jobs at PSG and Chelsea will point out that it is this sort of patient, slow approach that has led to success in the Champions League.

After all, that is what Tuchel will be measured at by the decision-makers at the Säbener Straße. Also, why Bayern looked sluggish, their football was brutally efficient, and the underlying stats highlight that this was a more than deserved win for the German record champions.

Bayern not only had 58% possession and completed 89% of their 609 passes but also kept Augsburg from creating any meaningful chances until after the third goal was scored. Augsburg had just two shots on target—Bayern had six—and according to official Bundesliga stats, the final xG was 2.83 vs. 0.92 in favor of the Munich-based club.

“We knew that today would not be a nice game,” Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka said after the game to DAZN. “Augsburg play unpleasant and very unorthodox football. It was clear from the first half that it was going to be very tough. It certainly was not pleasant for the spectators. But we stayed patient and got rewarded in the end.”

That reward was the third goal by Kane. Indeed, the Augsburg game gave a glimpse into why Bayern spent €100 million ($110 million) on the English striker. The goal was both slick and efficient, a typical no.9 goal at a time when Bayern needed a third to finish the game off.

It was also a goal scored by a striker, who perfectly seems to fit in the Tuchel system. With Kane, the Bayern boss can cycle the ball better as the English captain falls back and gets involved in the buildup, which also benefits many of Bayern’s faster players. Indeed, Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman, and Davies all seem to be able to hit a higher gear with Kane directing the center of the storm.

Perhaps the only caveat of all this is that Bayern wasn’t truly tested against Augsburg this week or Bremen last week. Then there is the DFL Supercup final against RB Leipzig, which Bayern lost 3-0 at home at the Allianz Arena. Hence, the next two opponents, Gladbach and Leverkusen, will provide a true test for a Bayern side that is being revolutionized by Kane’s presence.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and on Threads: @manuveth