Kane and Gnabry in team training ahead of Bayern's second-leg clash with Real Madrid

Kane and Gnabry in team training ahead of Bayern's second-leg clash with Real Madrid

After missing FC Bayern Munich’s 5–0 win over St. Pauli at the weekend, Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry were both back in team training on Monday.

On Saturday, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said that Kane had felt the after-effects of returning from injury to play 90 minutes in the first leg, but nothing should prevent the star striker from starting on Wednesday.

With Gnabry, who missed the St. Pauli win due to minor knee problems, there is slightly more uncertainty.  A final decision on whether he is fit enough to start will be made after Tuesday’s last training session before the match.

With 18-year-old talent Lennart Karl sidelined through injury, Jamal Musiala would likely be next in line to start in the central attacking midfield role if Gnabry is not ready.

The 23-year-old is still working his way back to top form after the serious ankle injury he suffered at last summer’s Club World Cup.

Encouragingly, he made a strong impact in the win over St. Pauli, scoring a goal and providing an assist in his 84-minute appearance.

That said, Bayern are continuing to handle Musiala with caution, and it remains unclear whether they would be willing to risk starting him in two matches within such a short span.

Another option would be to deploy Kane in a deeper role and allow Nicolas Jackson, who also racked up a goal or assist against St. Pauli, to lead the line.

Raphaël Guerreiro and Tom Bischof are also capable alternatives in the central attacking midfield position.

For now, though, the expectation remains that Gnabry will be fit to start the game.