On Matchday 23, the Bundesliga will witness a showdown between Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and RB Leipzig’s Loïs Openda. Both athletes transitioned to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2023 and have demonstrated remarkable performances in the German top flight since then. In this piece, bundesliga.com provides an overview of their respective journeys thus far.
Kane’s transition from Tottenham Hotspur to the prestigious Allianz Arena garnered significant attention. His arrival at one of Europe’s foremost footballing establishments promised to bolster an already formidable attacking lineup, and Kane has lived up to expectations since his arrival.
Scoring on his league debut against Werder Bremen, the 30-year-old has maintained an impressive momentum. Becoming the fastest player to reach 20 goals in a Bundesliga season, Kane has recorded three hat-tricks, including one against Borussia Dortmund in the inaugural Klassiker of the campaign.
Renowned for his versatility, Kane’s statistics underscore his multifaceted talent. While the majority of his goals come from his right foot, he has also displayed prowess with his left foot, as well as through headers and penalty conversions. Leading the league with five opening goals, he has capitalized on three counter-attacks, demonstrating his ability to exploit opposition defenses with pace. Notably, his goal from within his own half against Darmstadt showcased his remarkable shooting accuracy.
Forming a dynamic partnership with Leroy Sané, Kane has contributed to eight Bundesliga goals through their combined efforts. Additionally, he has provided five assists, ranking behind only Sané (11) and Thomas Müller (7) among his Bayern teammates.
Predictably, Kane leads the Bundesliga’s scoring charts with 25 goals, seven ahead of his closest competitor, Serhou Guirassy. Having equaled Robert Lewandowski’s record for most goals in the first half of a season (22), speculation abounds regarding Kane surpassing the Pole’s historic 41-goal tally set during the 2020/21 season. With 12 matches remaining, Kane requires 16 goals to achieve this feat, a prospect that seems plausible given his consistent goal-scoring form.
In the wake of Christopher Nkunku’s departure, who claimed the Torjägerkönig title last season with 16 goals for Leipzig, Belgium international Loïs Openda emerged as his replacement. While not matching Kane’s prolific output, Openda has made a commendable impact, netting 16 goals in 22 appearances thus far.
Openda has demonstrated a knack for decisive moments, with five of his goals providing an initial lead for his team. Additionally, he has proven effective against top-four opponents, with equal contributions against formidable adversaries. Supported by teammates such as Xavi Simons, Dani Olmo, and David Raum, Openda has also showcased his playmaking abilities, registering four assists in the Bundesliga.
With an impressive track record against Bayern, including a goal and an assist in their previous encounter this season, Openda’s performance could be pivotal for Leipzig’s success. Recent history suggests that Leipzig possesses the capability to challenge Bayern, and with Openda in top form, they may well repeat their past triumphs against the reigning champions.