DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has called on his players to work together to stop “sensational” Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane in the Bundesliga Klassiker against Bayern Munich.
Dortmund goes to Bayern on Saturday level on points at the top of the Bundesliga but winless in its last five games against the Munich team since 2024.
Speaking on Thursday, Kovac said being on level terms makes it “much more exciting” but Dortmund will need “90 minutes at the highest level” to get anything out of the game against the German champion.
It’s set to be the first game as Ballon d’Or winner for Kane, who stayed on the bench as Bayern cruised past second-division Magdeburg 6-1 in the German Cup on Wednesday.
“He didn’t buy this somehow, he definitely wasn’t given it for free, he worked hard for it,” Kovac said of the 33-year-old Kane becoming the first Bayern Ballon d’Or winner in 45 years.
“Since he came to Germany (in 2023), he’s made another big step up. He was a top player in England already but to make another step up at his age that’s sensational and shows the danger and the quality of a player like that. We won’t get this done one on one, we’ll need to do it together.”
“It needs 11 players and only when you have 11 players at a top level can you get something in Munich.”
Kane was given a guard of honor by his Bayern teammates ahead of the Magdeburg cup game and the club has signaled there will be another gesture of recognition on Saturday before playing Dortmund.
Bayern remained without coach Vincent Kompany, who spent several days in hospital after collapsing on Friday at the club’s training ground. Assistant Aaron Danks has been in charge in the Belgian’s absence.
Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl told German broadcaster ARD on Wednesday that Kompany was treated for meningeal irritation, which is an inflammation of the tissue around the brain or spinal cord, and had been discharged from hospital. Before his collapse, he had also been struggling with a viral infection and a hip injury.
