Spare a thought for Harry Kane this morning.
The England striker swapped serial underachievers Tottenham for perennial winners Bayern Munich last summer in the hope of finally getting his hands on some silverware.
Kane's hope of ending his trophy jinx were dashed on Wednesday as Real Madrid staged a trademark comeback to beat Bayern 2-1 at the Bernabeu to secure a place in next month's Uefa Champions League final.
It means Bayern will end a season without a trophy for the first time in 12 years, while Kane's wait to get his hands on silverware of any kind continues. The 30 year old, who made his first-team debut on loan at Leyton Orient in England's lower leagues in 2011, has yet to win a major honour at club or international level.
Prolific in the Premier League – the former Spurs talisman is second in the division's all-time top scorer list with 213 – Kane has transferred that goal prowess seamlessly to the Bundesliga, banging in a staggering 44 goals in 45 matches across competitions.
Thirty six of those have come in only 32 league games, but Bayern's hegemony on the Bundesliga shield was broken by a Bayer Leverkusen side who have yet to taste defeat in any competition this season.
They trail by a staggering 15 points – unthinkable for a club of Bayern's stature – and even second place is far from certain, with Stuttgart looming just two points behind them with two games remaining.
Bayern won 11 consecutive league titles from 2013 to 2023 but will finish 2024 empty-handed. Already the dominant force domestically, the addition of Kane was supposed to expand the German club's empire into Europe, adding to their six European Cups.
Kane's Champions League contribution for his new team has been sizable – eight goals and four assists attest to that – and yet Bayern fell at the semi-final stage, the first time they had gone that far in Europe's premier club competition since last winning it in 2020.
The Bavarians' undoing was the concession of two late goals in Madrid. Thomas Tuchel had removed Kane, who had earlier provided a sumptuous assist for Alphonso Davies to put Bayern ahead in the tie, in the 85th minute.
Real striker Joselu would score in the 88th and 91st. Kane's substitution appeared to change the momentum of the match with Bayern in control but Tuchel told broadcaster DAZN the striker was unable to continue. "He couldn't keep going. He played with back pain and he couldn't keep going, his back froze up," said Tuchel.
Losing in such heartbreaking fashion to a team who deal almost exclusively in heartbreak is no real shame. Far more galling is the way Bayern were dumped out of the German Cup by third-tier Saarbrucken in only the second round last November.
The cup is always low on Bayern's list of priorities, but the manner of the defeat, and the level of opposition, would only serve to highlight Bayern's shortcomings against lesser lights this season. Kane played no part in that embarrassment, and played only 30 minutes – off the bench – in Bayern's 3-0 Super Cup defeat to RB Leipzig, in his first match for the club.
It would be a huge leap to blame Kane for Bayern's woes or suggest he has upset a winning formula. The mystery of Kane making Bayern better while simultaneously weakening them is a curious one, but does overlook, rather conveniently, several factors. The indefatigability of Real Madrid and the undeniability of a Leverkusen side wildly overachieving help explain how Bayern missed out on their main objectives but the failures of those around Kane is perhaps more telling.
Bayern's second-highest scorer this term is Jamal Musiala with 12 while Leroy Sane was the only player to accumulate more assists than Kane's eight in the Bundesliga, highlighting the team's reliance on the England captain. Tuchel's spat with the Bayern executive branch has played out publicly all season, which has to have had some effect on the players. The German will depart imminently.
Zero for four trophies does not read well on any striker's CV, that's extended to eight if you take into account the finals Kane has lost playing for Tottenham and England. His critics will relish using those figures against him, but the Bayern hierarchy will have seen enough from Kane's first season to be confident their investment will pay off in the future with more titles and trophies.
Real Madrid v Bayern player ratings
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REAL MADRID RATINGS: Kept place despite Courtois’ return and reacted well to tip Kane volley wide for corner that might have crept in. Saved shot low down at his near post from same player after break and turned a Musiala strike over bar for corner. AP -
Caused chaos in opposition box in opening 15 minutes, sent cross across box that missed Rodrigo’s boot by centimetres, then nutmegged Musiala to set-up chance for Vinicius. EPA -
Could not stop Davies cutting inside from left before Bayern substitute sent superb finish into top corner. Curled ball over defence to Vinicius but Brazilian sent half-volley over bar. Picked out Joselu with cross for winner. EPA -
Good performance at back from captain, although blatantly pushed Kimmich in face ahead of Real putting ball into net via deflected cross that would have made it 1-1. Getty Images -
Shoved out of way by Kane early in second half with England captain then forcing save out of Lunin but generally solid evening’s work from left-back up against a lacklustre opponent in Sane. EPA -
French midfielder kept things simple in middle of park, winning tackles and getting the ball as quickly as possible to attacking players. AFP -
Star turn of first leg was pinging superb diagonal balls out to feet of widemen from opening minutes. Made vital interception on Kane through ball. Not as much impact as in Munich but still quality. Getty Images -
Playing 50th game of season for Real, Uruguayan's workrate was exemplary as always and linked up well with teammates. EPA -
Some nice moments and silky first touches but, like first leg, relatively quiet game from England midfielder. A Champions League final and La Liga title in his first season at Los Blancos, though. Reuters -
Brazilian struck inside of post from tight angle. Almost scored with curling cross that missed teammates but forced Neuer into save in opening 45 minutes. Saw another effort superbly saved by German keeper and ran Bayern ragged second half. Getty Images -
First to rebound after Vinicius struck post but denied goal by excellent Neuer stop in opening half. Saw nice first-time finish fly just wide of post and then free-kick saved well by Neuer. EPA -
SUBS: (On for Kroos 70’) Classy cameo from midfielder in what could be his final season at club. AP -
(On for Tchouameni 70’) Booked for kicking ball away deep into injury time but did well after coming and gave boost to Real engine room. Getty Images -
(On for Rorygo 81’) PA -
(On for Valverde 81’) Fairy-tale introduction for veteran who scored two close-range finishes in matter of minutes to take Real through to 18th European Cup final. AFP -
(On for Bellingham 90+9’) Reuters -
BAYERN MUNICH RATINGS: Veteran had produced four or five quality stops only to spill routine Vinicius effort that allowed Joselu to tap home late leveller and spark Real's stunning late comeback. AP -
Given torrid time by Vinicius after break as Brazilian flew past him at will. Shoved in face by Nacho, going down as he’d been hit with hammer, which resulted in Real goal being disallowed. AFP -
Missed first game due to injury and looked far more reliable at back than the man he replaced, Kim Min-jae. Had ball in back of Real net in 14th minute of injury time but referee had blown for offside. AFP -
English defender has been excellent since joining Bayern and continued that form in Madrid up against Real's dangerous attackers. AFP -
Beaten for pace by Rodrygo early on as Brazilian then setting up chance for countryman Vinicius. Curled strike from distance straight at Lunin. Switched flanks in second-half reshuffle to try and curb threat of Vinicius. AFP -
Surprise starter ahead of Goretzka but lived up to his manager’s faith. Hoovered up in front of defence and gave Bayern steel in midfield alongside Laimer. Getty Images -
Midfielder was outstanding in his defensive work throughout. Made numerous key interceptions and tackles. Almost picked out Kane with through ball just before break. Reuters -
Tried and failed to set up Kane for opening goal when he could actually have shot himself. Just returned to team after injury but forced off in opening half hour with what looked like hamstring problem. Reuters -
First attempt on goal came in 65th minute when Lunin turned his left-footed strike over bar for corner, Lively but Bayern needed more threat in front of goal. AP -
Poor start with misplaced passes and slack control which set tone for rest of game. Could easily have been hooked at half-time without any complaints. Failed to track back and help Kimmich after break who was being tormented by Vinicius. Reuters -
Saw brilliant dipping volley tipped round post by keeper with his only attempt at goal in first half. Denied by keeper again with strike at near post from narrow angle early in second. Taken off late on with Bayern 1-0 up. Getty Images -
SUBS: (On for Gnabry 28’) Saw deflected cross fly just over crossbar at start of second half then opened the scoring completely against run of play with super sweet left-footed strike. AP -
(On for Sane 76’) Headed against crossbar although referee had blown for foul on keeper. Reuters -
(On for Musiala 85’) Getty Images -
(On for Kane 85’) AP
