The Japan Times - Red-hot Kane on record course with Bremen in his sights

Playing his 104th game for Bayern, Kane needs two goals to become the fastest man to 100 goals with a club in Europe's top-five leagues, breaking the record of 105 matches jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.

Kane is already the fastest to 50 Bundesliga goals, bringing that mark up in 43 matches, a record he also took from the Norway striker.

Kane made his Bundesliga debut in August 2023 against Bremen, scoring a goal and setting up another in a 4-0 win, just days after arriving from boyhood club Tottenham.

In four matches against Bremen, Kane has four goals and three assists.

On Saturday, Kane scored his ninth Bundesliga hat-trick -- and his second so far this season.

The 32-year-old's form is sounding an ominous warning for Bayern's rivals already this campaign.

Sitting two clear of perennial chasers Borussia Dortmund on the table, Bayern are the only Bundesliga club to win all four of their matches.

Including the Super Cup, the German Cup and last Wednesday's squashing of Club World Cup holders Chelsea in the Champions League, Bayern have started the season with seven wins in seven games.

With Kane more than keen to bear the brunt of the attacking burden, Bayern's new recruits will be allowed to settle in.

Starting his first match since arriving on deadline day at Hoffenheim on Saturday, Nicolas Jackson will be given time to adjust to German football, something the confidence player was rarely afforded at Chelsea.

With goals flowing nicely for Bayern so far — the club has scored a record 18 in their opening four matches — injured stars Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies will not be rushed back.

After Saturday's 4-1 win at Hoffenheim, Kane told Sky Germany he hoped the good times keep rolling.

"To be honest, I never set limits for myself. I feel good. I just have to keep going.

"At the moment, I'm just riding this wave and enjoying it."

Speaking Thursday, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany recalled playing against Kane during his time at Manchester City, saying the England captain then and now "it's two different players".

"He was always a goalscorer, it's what he built his career on. But he's made a conscious decision to open up his game to different things, like how he's dropping to receive between the lines," said Kompany.

"He just keeps developing, he keeps working on it, and he's a leader in our team.

"To have one of the best-performing players also show the example in training and the details of preparation for each game, it's something I'm very fortunate to have as a coach."

One to watch: Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)

After losing a wealth of talent and experience in the summer, Bayer Leverkusen needed the remaining members of their title-winning side to step into a leadership role -- and few have done that better than wing-back Alex Grimaldo.

The Spain defender has chimed in at crucial moments for Leverkusen this season. He has four goals in six matches, including three incredible free-kicks from outside the box.

Grimaldo was named captain for the first time in Sunday's 1-1 home draw against Borussia Moenchengladbach.

"I've had to make that step up this year in terms of character, in taking on an important role in the team, while still being the same player as last year," Grimaldo told the Bundesliga website on Wednesday.

"I don't need to wear the armband to feel like a leader. This year I'm like one of the captains and very happy to be here, trying to help the team and especially the younger guys."

Key stats

5 - Freiburg's Noah Atubolu has saved five Bundesliga penalties in a row, a record.

6 of 7 - St Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj has saved six of the seven penalties he has faced in the Bundesliga.

17 - Harry Kane has scored every one of the 17 penalties he has attempted in the Bundesliga.

Fixtures (1330 GMT unless stated)

Friday

Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen (1830)

Saturday

Mainz v Borussia Dortmund, Heidenheim v Augsburg, St Pauli v Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Eintracht Frankfurt (1630)

Sunday

Freiburg v Hoffenheim, Cologne v Stuttgart (1530), Union Berlin v Hamburg (1730)

K.Hashimoto--JT