Bayern Munich has placed their confidence in star striker Harry Kane

Ahead of the new season, manager Thomas Tuchel had spoken about the challenge of “finding the right key to open the lock.” Bayern Munich’s upcoming home opener against local rivals Augsburg offers fans a chance to assess whether their record-breaking 100-million euro striker is poised to lead the team’s forward charge.

Harry Kane, Bayern’s marquee signing, shared this week that he hasn’t encountered any difficulties adapting to driving on the right side of the road, a requirement in Germany. Playfully, he remarked, “So far, I haven’t had any crashes.”

Kane, who recently returned from London following the birth of his fourth child, revealed his practical side by selecting a family-friendly people mover at an event organized by one of Bayern’s key sponsors, a car company. With a growing family, he emphasized the importance of space, stating that “four kids will keep you on your toes.”

Sunday’s match against Augsburg, known for their occasional victories against Bayern, will test both Kane’s impact and Bayern’s performance. Despite a solid 4-0 victory against Werder Bremen to begin the season, Tuchel emphasized the need for greater consistency. The manager stressed the importance of stability, both within individual matches and across games.

Kane’s predecessor in the striking role at Bayern, Robert Lewandowski, expressed confidence in the English captain’s abilities, labeling him a “super-striker” and praising Bayern’s acquisition.

Augsburg’s victory over Bayern in September 2022 triggered a series of events that eventually led to the departure of coach Julian Nagelsmann. Following the excitement of Kane’s debut, Sunday’s match serves as another pivotal moment to gauge whether Bayern’s performance is on an upward trajectory.

Player to watch: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund) Forward Karim Adeyemi was a driving force for Borussia Dortmund in their title push last season, contributing significantly with goals and assists during the final 17 league matches. Adeyemi’s transition from Salzburg to Dortmund in 2022 showcased his potential, although he initially struggled to find the net. His improved performance in the latter half of the season earned praise from manager Edin Terzic, who emphasized the need for consistency and effectiveness.

Key stats The Bundesliga celebrated its 60th anniversary this week. Bayern Munich has secured 32 titles among the 60 contested since its inception.

Five teams from the inaugural 1963-64 Bundesliga season remain in the league: Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Cologne.

Dortmund has gone 128 games without a goalless draw, equalling the record held by their rivals Schalke.

Upcoming Fixtures Friday: