Bayern Munich cruise past Borussia Mönchengladbach without Kane to maintain title charge

Bayern Munich delivered an emphatic 4–1 victory over a struggling Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday, showing little sign of missing injured striker Harry Kane as they continued their dominant march towards another Bundesliga title.

Kane was ruled out on Thursday with a calf strain after an exceptional campaign in which he has scored 45 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions. Despite the absence of the England captain, Bayern produced a commanding performance, securing the win through goals from Luis Díaz, Konrad Laimer, Jamal Musiala and Nicolas Jackson.

Musiala’s 57th-minute penalty marked his first league goal of the season after he missed the opening six months of the campaign recovering from a broken leg sustained during last year’s Club World Cup.

Speaking to Sky Germany after the match, Musiala reflected on taking responsibility from the penalty spot in Kane’s absence.

“I’m still a couple behind him,” Musiala said of Bayern’s regular penalty taker. “It’s also a responsibility to take penalties now and then.

“It gives me a bit of confidence in myself. I’m happy I took the opportunity.”

Musiala was later handed the captain’s armband for the first time in his career during the closing stages of the match after Manuel Neuer was substituted at half-time as a precaution and Joshua Kimmich was taken off late on.

“It’s a great honour for such a big club,” Musiala added. “I’m embracing it and I’m really happy.”

Atalanta clash next

The victory extended Bayern’s lead at the top of the Bundesliga table to 14 points ahead of Borussia Dortmund with nine matches remaining. It also served as ideal preparation for next week’s first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Atalanta in Italy.

Bayern have now scored 92 goals this season, just nine short of their own Bundesliga record set during the 1971–72 campaign. Meanwhile, Kane remains 12 goals away from surpassing Robert Lewandowski’s league record of 41 goals in a 34-match season.

Mönchengladbach’s night worsened when captain Rocco Reitz was shown a red card in the 55th minute after conceding a penalty for pulling back Jackson inside the box. Musiala stepped up to convert from the spot with Kane watching from the VIP suite.

Five-time Bundesliga champions Gladbach have spent only one season in the second division this century but now sit just three points above Werder Bremen, who currently occupy the relegation play-off position.

There was at least a late consolation for the hosts when 17-year-old midfielder Wael Mohya scored in the 89th minute, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history.

Bayern’s recent momentum has been significant, with Kane’s brace in last weekend’s 3–2 victory away to Borussia Dortmund widely viewed as having all but secured another Bundesliga crown for the German giants, who have won 12 of the past 13 league titles.

Even with Kane sidelined and Michael Olise starting on the bench, Bayern quickly asserted their dominance. Luis Díaz opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark, volleying home from a Leon Goretzka pass.

The visitors doubled their advantage moments before the interval when Díaz turned provider, setting up Laimer to fire home Bayern’s second goal.

Any hopes of a Gladbach comeback faded early in the second half when Reitz brought down Jackson inside the penalty area, conceding a spot-kick and receiving his marching orders.

Musiala calmly converted the penalty, and Bayern added a fourth when Jackson finished from close range after connecting with a cross from Lennart Karl.

Mohya’s late strike ensured the hosts avoided a heavier defeat, but Bayern’s convincing victory further strengthened their grip on the Bundesliga title race.