On the identical Saturday afternoon on the finish of October, separated by barely an hour and 850 miles, the 2 greatest English gamers on this planet lit up Europe’s elite.
Because the clock ticked in the direction of 4pm, Harry Kane acquired the ball within the centre circle of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Area. “Why not?” he thought. The second of Kane’s three targets in Bayern’s 8-0 rout of Darmstadt will reside lengthy within the reminiscence, crusing into the web from 60 yards out, however he was elbowed out of the headlines by one in every of his compatriots just a little after 5pm.
Jude Bellingham had threatened to let his debut Clasico cross him by however bent the largest sport in membership soccer to his will. After hammering Actual Madrid degree, Bellingham snatched all three factors in opposition to Barcelona within the 92nd minute.
Extremely, it was not Kane’s first hat-trick for Bayern or Bellingham’s maiden stoppage-time winner in all white. The crown jewels of the England nationwide staff have been past comparability within the high flights of Germany and Spain respectively however how do they stack up in opposition to each other?
Date
Outcome
Targets
Assists
12/08/23
Bayern Munich 0-3 RB Leipzig – DFL Supercup
0
0
18/08/23
Werder Bremen 4-0 Bayern Munich – Bundesliga
1
1
27/08/23
Bayern Munich 3-1 Augsburg – Bundesliga
2
0
02/09/23
Gladbach 1-2 Bayern Munich – Bundesliga
0
0
15/09/23
Bayern Munich 2-2 Leverkusen – Bundesliga
1
0
20/09/23
Bayern Munich 4-3 Man Utd – Champions League
1
1
23/09/23
Bayern Munich 7-0 Bochum – Bundesliga
3
2
30/09/23
RB Leipzig 2-2 Bayern Munich – Bundesliga
1
0
03/10/23
Kobenhavn 1-2 Bayern Munich – Champions League
0
0
08/10/23
Bayern Munich 3-0 Freiburg – Bundesliga
0
1
21/10/23
Mainz 1-3 Bayern Munich – Bundesliga
1
0
24/10/23
Galatasaray 1-3 Bayern Munich – Champions League
1
1
28/10/23
Bayern Munich 8-0 Darmstadt – Bundesliga
3
1
Boisterous chants of “Auf Wiedersehen!” tumbled down the stands of the Allianz Area on the finish of a humbling night time however Kane had solely simply arrived in Germany. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel felt compelled to apologise to his new quantity 9 for the efficiency of the staff that he had joined after a 3-0 reverse in opposition to RB Leipzig within the DFL Supercup.
Regardless of Bayern’s subsequent unbeaten begin to the Bundesliga, Tuchel has typically minimize a pissed off determine on the touchline. But, the previous Chelsea boss has by no means had a public problem with Kane, lauding the England captain – as he takes nice pleasure in stating – at each alternative. There have been lots.
Every week Kane appears to topple a brand new document, most lately changing into the primary Bundesliga participant to ever attain double digits for targets after simply 9 video games within the competitors.
Kane’s arrival has coincided with Leroy Sane’s rejuvenation – which certainly is not a coincidence. Of his seven assists, 4 have teed up Sane.
Past the chilly numbers, Kane has introduced some heat to Bayern. “He is a world-class footballer and an important man,” Leon Goretzka stated. “You discover his aura within the dressing room.”
Date
Outcome
Targets
Assists
12/08/23
Athletic 0-2 Actual Madrid – La Liga
1
0
19/08/23
Almeria 1-3 Actual Madrid – La Liga
2
1
25/08/23
Celta Vigo 0-1 Actual Madrid – La Liga
1
0
02/09/23
Actual Madrid 2-1 Getafe – La Liga
1
0
17/09/23
Actual Madrid 2-1 Actual Sociedad – La Liga
0
0
20/09/23
Actual Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin – Champions League
1
0
24/09/23
Atletico 3-1 Actual Madrid – La Liga
0
0
30/09/23
Girona 0-3 Actual Madrid – La Liga
1
1
03/10/23
Napoli 2-3 Actual Madrid – Champions League
1
1
07/10/23
Actual Madrid 4-0 Osasuna – La Liga
2
0
21/10/23
Sevilla 1-1 Actual Madrid – La Liga
0
0
24/10/23
Braga 1-2 Actual Madrid – Champions League
1
0
28/10/23
Barcelona 1-2 Actual Madrid – La Liga
2
0
As early as August, two video games and three targets into the season, Carlo Ancelotti was assured that Bellingham’s ending sizzling streak wouldn’t cool. Swatting apart any strategies of mulling over a bid for final season’s Serie A high scorer Victor Osimhen, Ancelotti defined: “I consider the membership thought it may recover from [Karim] Benzema’s absence by signing Bellingham.”
Benzema completed with 19 league targets in his last season at Madrid – Bellingham surged previous the midway mark of that tally earlier than Halloween.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid’s talisman earlier than Benzema assumed the mantle, was the final participant to start his profession within the capital with as many as 13 targets in 13 video games. Bellingham shouldn’t be solely recreating the goalscoring contribution of his predecessors however the charisma that they boasted.
Ancelotti defined: “Good gamers with character endure much less.” Luka Modric agreed. “He exudes character, character, it is no coincidence that he has tailored so nicely,” the veteran midfielder, who made his skilled debut earlier than Bellingham was two months previous stated. “He is a high boy, with a unprecedented expertise.”
Stat
Harry Kane
Jude Bellingham
Video games
13
13
Minutes
1,063
1,122
Targets
14
13
Assists
7
3
Each gamers have loved and endured remarkably comparable durations of adaptation to life at their new golf equipment. Over the opening weeks, the pair papered over any teething issues that will have existed with a gentle torrent of tap-ins.
This cloaking poaching is especially spectacular given Bellingham arrived as a midfielder. If Ancelotti was the one one to envisage Bellingham as Benzema’s substitute, Kane was fairly clearly Bayern’s reply to the void created by Robert Lewandowski’s departure in 2022.
Whereas Bellingham added targets to his sport instantly upon his arrival in Madrid, Kane took a while to rediscover the inventive string to his bow. After only one help in his first 5 matches, Kane has racked up six in eight video games since September’s worldwide break, tuning in to the identical frequency as his fleet-footed teammates.
Bellingham has additionally rounded out his sport in current weeks, demonstrating the drive that was routinely on show at Borussia Dortmund, most notably in opposition to Girona and Napoli.
Each gamers have been tipped as leaders of their respective dressing rooms however Bellingham has nearly transcended soccer. An immediately iconic celebration – already copied by faculty youngsters {and professional} athletes from different sports activities – definitely helps. Carlos Alcaraz most likely will not hop within the air and mimic Kane’s meek punch at a Grand Slam any time quickly.