Harry Kane hopes to continue his love affair with Dortmund when England face the Netherlands there in the Euro 2024 semi-final.
The England captain has netted five goals in three starts at the Westfalonstadion, scoring in wins for Tottenham at Dortmund in the Champions League in 2017/18 and 2018/19 and also netting a hat-trick for Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker last November.
Ready. 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/KLQCmduFgA
— Harry Kane (@HKane) July 9, 2024
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I have scored a few in a few games against Dortmund, so yes, it’s been a fairly successful stadium for me so far.
“A hat-trick this year is always a good memory to feed off. Of course, I would take something like that (on Wednesday), but I know it will be a tough game.
“I think it’s a fantastic stadium, one of the best in world football, so it’s always a pleasure to play here.”
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A special occasion
Kane said a European Championship semi-final against one of the game’s biggest names: “are the biggest games that you can play, probably in your career.
“You know major tournaments for your nation are as big as it comes. Playing in semi-finals, big games in a big stadium, it’s going to be a special game.
“We have worked really hard to get to this moment and we are going to have to work even harder to get in the final.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but of course you look forward to games like this because they are memories, if they go your way, you will remember for a long time.”
Kane has come in for criticism for his performances across England’s five matches in the tournament so far, but insists he is ‘feeling good’ going into the clash with the Dutch.
“It’s been a tough tournament for everyone, we have had some tough games and that has been no different for me as well,” he said.
“There’s been good battles on the pitch, a lot of hard work throughout the games, not just with the ball, but without the ball as well.
“I am feeling good, of course I know there is an expectation around me after the season I have had, to have scored more goals by now, but (I’ve scored) two goals and I am in a semi-final – I would have taken that before we kicked a ball.”
Harry Kane at Dortmund stadium 👀 pic.twitter.com/iYbTHEOYuV
— Ethan (@thfcem28) July 9, 2024
Need to be at highest level
Kane, who turns 31 later this month, is seeking to add to his 65 goals in 96 caps and added: “There is always an opportunity in the next game to prove yourself.
“To go out there and put in a great performance and I will try and do that (on Wednesday).”
If he is to succeed he’ll need to get past the stubborn Dutch defence which is marshalled by old Premier League foe Virgil van Dijk.
“I’ve obviously played against Van Dijk quite a lot throughout my career and we have had some tough battles,” he said.
“I’m expecting no different from what we have had throughout the whole tournament so far. We have come up against some real solid defences and tough teams to break down.
“It will be the same tomorrow, but of course they have great attacking players that we have to be wary of. It’s going to be a good game, a tough game.
“We are going to have to be at our highest level if we want to reach another final.”
Wembley fuels the fire
The memories of Wembley in 2021 and the penalty shootout dismay against Italy in the final still linger for many of England’s players and Kane admitted: “I think there has been a fuel all along really, but there is always that motivation to go one step further than we did last time, because we had a fantastic tournament.
“When you fall and come so close and you don’t just quite get there, there is always that fuel (and) fire in the belly to get back there and make it right next time.
“Of course, we are one step away from the final, but we have a big obstacle in the way.
“It is just about getting our minds right for this one, being focused on the tasks at hand and hopefully going out there and executing a great game.”
