Welcome to The Euro Debrief, a new Sky Sports column in which Adam Bate rounds up some of the key stories from the latest matches across the continent. This week: Being in Dortmund for the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, the expectation was that Harry Kane would add to the 73 goals that he scored last season for Bayern Munich. Instead, the opener in their 2-1 win at Borussia Dortmund was scored by Nathaniel Brown.
Adam Bate goes behind the scenes at Bayern Munich to find out why Harry Kane winning the Ballon d'Or has become a priority for the club. The summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt is better known as a left-back but was preferred in the No 10 role to fellow new arrival Ismael Saibari and responded by whipping the ball low into the corner inside the first half. He could have had more too.
Brown, 23, fired just wide of the far post after getting away down the left channel in the 43rd minute and drew roars from the away end when he charged forward just after the hour. He then sprang another attack with a smart turn that led to Kane firing just over. Speaking to Kane afterwards, he praised his new partner.
"It was a great performance. Not his natural position but he has had spells there in pre-season. He is obviously a smart player, really good on the ball, good in tight areas, and you saw that with his finish." Kane described Brown as "a very versatile player" and pointed out that he had already scored in pre-season.
But some adjustments will be required. Brown barely touched the ball prior to his 28th-minute goal, often being missed out of their passing sequences. Vincent Kompany will have to be patient with Jamal Musiala following his unfortunate health scare, twice collapsing on the pitch.
Saibari will be able to help with that. But the creative use of Brown could prove useful when the Bundesliga kicks off next weekend. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The big two in Spain both won away as their LaLiga campaigns began, but the victories could hardly have been more different.
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