Vincent Kompany was full of praise for Harry Kane after the Bayern Munich forward netted his 400th career goal to seal a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Klassiker. The England captain's clinical header helped Bayern maintain their perfect start to the season, with Kompany hailing his striker's "complete" display in another statement Bundesliga win.
Kane milestone inspires Bayern win
Kane marked a historic night by scoring his 400th club goal as Bayern Munich edged Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in a pulsating Der Klassiker on Saturday. The England captain opened the scoring with a precise header in the 22nd minute, his 12th league strike of the season, continuing his incredible run of form. Michael Olise doubled Bayern's advantage late on before Julian Brandt pulled one back for Dortmund, but the hosts held firm to extend their unbeaten run and move five points clear at the top.
Bayern's triumph also marked their 11th consecutive win in all competitions, equalling the German record previously set by Die Schwarzgelben under Thomas Tuchel in the 2015/16 campaign. The victory reflected not only Bayern's clinical edge but also their composure under pressure, with Kompany’s side continuing to impress both domestically and in Europe.
It was yet another reminder of Kane's consistency since arriving in Germany, as the forward has either scored or assisted in every match this season for Bayern Munich. His impact has been transformative, setting the tone for Bayern's relentless march toward another Bundesliga crown.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportKompany: Kane is 'really outsanding'
Kompany could not hide his admiration for his star striker and the collective effort of his side after their Klassiker win. “Harry Kane can of course still improve, even though he has been more than brilliant so far for us," the Belgian said post-match. "I think [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo have set the bar so high that you feel like scoring in the manner Kane is scoring right now should be normal, but what he is doing is really outstanding. He worked so hard for the team tonight and was once again very important for us."
Kompany also lauded Bayern's fluid attacking play, which often leaves opponents second-guessing their defensive structures. "We like that all experts are asking themselves 'who was our striker tonight? Who was the attacking midfielder? Who was the playmaker?' – That is how we know we have a fluent attack and that we’re doing it right," he explained.
He continued by acknowledging Kane's special instinct inside the penalty area: "I can't teach Harry Kane how to head the ball the way he does it. Some things you can't teach – the feeling for the area, for example. He just does it so well."
The coach also praised Dortmund's fightback, saying: "We have to give Dortmund their flowers. They managed to get back into the game after our dominating first half. They fought their way back in. We, on the other hand, interrupted our rhythm and somewhat lost the control we had. But I also need to praise my team for sticking together – even when we were not in total control, we were always still dangerous and managed to score in a phase where Dortmund were getting better."
Kane improves Bayern
Kane's 400th career goal adds another milestone to a glittering resume that already includes three Premier League Golden Boots, a World Cup Golden Boot and England's all-time scoring record. The 31-year-old joined Bayern in search of major silverware in 2023, which he finally achieved last season with a Bundesliga title. His 12 goals in the Bundesliga this season have come from just 10 appearances, with his leadership and work rate complementing Bayern's fluid attacking identity.
Since his arrival, Bayern's offensive play has evolved to become more unpredictable, with Kane's link-up ability freeing the likes of Olise and Jamal Musiala, once the latter returns from injury, to thrive between the lines. His adaptability has also given Kompany's system greater flexibility, as Bayern frequently alternate between structured possession and rapid transition attacks.
Kane's professionalism and mentality have impressed both teammates and staff, and Kompany's comments reflect the respect he commands within the dressing room. The striker's influence extends beyond his goals – his presence brings calmness and confidence to a side that appears more balanced than ever. With his 400th goal now behind him, the focus shifts to how high he can push that tally by the end of the season, after which the World Cup is here.
Getty Images SportAttention tuns to Champions League
Bayern's latest victory cements their dominance atop the Bundesliga table as they chase a record-extending title. They will now turn their attention to midweek European action in the Champions League, where Kompany will expect his side to maintain intensity and discipline against Club Brugge.
For Kane, the challenge will be sustaining his exceptional scoring pace as fixtures pile up across multiple competitions. His sharpness and understanding of Bayern's attacking patterns suggest that further milestones are inevitable. As Kompany continues to refine his project, Kane's form could be the decisive factor in turning Bayern's domestic dominance into continental glory.
