By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bayern Munich scored three times in seven minutes to cruise past Union Berlin 4-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday to stay clear at the top of the table.
It took the hosts until two minutes before the break to get their noses in front through Michael Olise but Serge Gnabry added a quick second, Harry Kane struck just after half-time and Gnabry finished off the scoring, taking the team’s tally after 27 rounds to 97, on course to smash the season record of 101 goals set by Bayern in 1971-72.
Kane’s goal, which took him to 31 for the season in the Bundesliga, means he is now 10 behind the record set by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski in 2020-21.
“It’s still possible, I just have to keep doing what I’m doing,” Kane told reporters after the game.
“All it takes is a hat-trick or a couple of braces in a row and then it’ll look a bit more likely.”
Kane’s bid for the record could be aided by Thomas Tuchel’s decision to rest him for the Three Lions’ friendly match against Uruguay.
Kane was named in Tuchel’s 35-man squad but the England boss confirmed the striker, along with a number of others, would join the camp later to take part in the second friendly against Japan.
“I think it makes sense when we look at the April schedule, May and then going into the World Cup, trying to use this time now to be as fresh as possible in that period,” the 32-year-old Kane said.
“For me and the boys who get a bit of time off, you have to use it wisely, you have to stay fit, stay sharp, but just kind of mentally rest and get ready for a really busy schedule when we get back.”
Kane will get his next chance to chip into the record when Bayern travel to Freiburg on Saturday, 4 April.
Meanwhile Ramy Bensebaini scored two penalties as Dortmund came from behind to beat Hamburger SV 3-2 at home to consolidate second.
Elsewhere Justin Njinmah scored in off the far post for Werder Bremen to beat Wolfsburg 1-0 away and boost its survival chances at the home team’s expense.
Their team’s third win in four games lifted it to 13th — four points above the relegation zone — while Wolfsburg remained second to last after failing to win any of its last 10 games, new coach Dieter Hecking’s return notwithstanding.