Bayern Munich newcomer Ismael Saibari has joined a star-studded cast in Bavaria, with all the fireworks coming out on display in Friday’s league opener, a 5-1 smashing of VfB Stuttgart. But there’s one teammate that impresses him above all.
“Harry Kane. I’ve already discussed it with friends…Harry is simply the best striker. I try to learn from him,” Saibari declared in postgame comments captured by Sky Germany journalist Kerry Hau (via @iMiaSanMia).
Saibari notched two assists in a tidy thirty-minute
cameo appearance, slotting into attacking midfield in the place of Nathaniel Brown. The Moroccan forward is certainly a different player to Harry Kane, but he showed a similar selflessness and an eagerness to deliver for his teammates — qualities he shares with Bayern’s No. 9.
On Saibari’s first assist, he was sent clear through with a clever no-look lob from Michael Olise, but in slowing down to control it, found himself run down by defender Finn Jeltsch. Rather than force a shot from a narrow angle and hope for a corner, Saibari took a deft touch inside to carve open space, and then — again bypassing a tough but doable shot — looked up to find the on-rushing Aleksandar Pavlović for a near point-blank tap-in that left the outstanding Stuttgart keeper Fabian Bredlow with no chance whatsoever.
Saibari’s second assist was positively Kane-like. By then, it was into stoppage time, Bayern was 4-1 up, and Kane was off for winger Lennart Karl. That left Saibari in the most advanced position up front in Kompany’s fluid and free-flowing attack. Dropping into the hole, Saibari collected after Bayern won possession high up the pitch and instantly turned a threaded a lethal through-ball for Luis Díaz, who raced in past the last defender to take his one-on-one with Bredlow with conviction.
Bayern’s new signing lit up the World Cup with his goals — a goal in each of his three opening games — but is hitting the ground running in the Bundesliga by turning provider. Saibari is proving to be a quick study…and already looks like a great candidate to slot in anytime Kane needs a rest this season.
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