“Both games playing against the back-three maybe caused us a bit of confusion." Harry Kane opens up on England issues.
England captain also calls for some perspective from Lineker.
Harry Kane didn’t score in group stage of Euro 2020 and then got four in three. Kane didn’t score in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup but then grabbed two in two. There’s often a rhythm to Kane at tournaments, easing his way in, and then springing more to life in the knockout stages. “It’s a bonus to be one goal ahead,” Kane said today
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England’s captain, speaking after training as England intensified preparations for Tuesday’s final Group C game with Slovenia, delivered an honest appraisal of his and the team’s form, and responded to Gary Lineker’s critical comments in typically measured response. Kane has been in these situations before, the team scrutinised, his own form and fitness placed under the microscope.
So he calmly addressed a series of questions. Was he fit after suggestions of a lingering back problem? “I’m fit,” Kane replied. He dismissed the fear that a long season was catching up with him. He’s played 4,271 minutes for Bayern Munich and England this season, one of the highest numbers out here. In 28 of his 32 Bundesliga games, and nine of his 12 Champions League, Kane played the full 90 minutes. “Whether it’s 70, 90 minutes, extra time, I physically feel more than capable of doing any of that. I’ve done that all my career, done that pretty much all season. I’m feeling fresh.”