Haris Tabakovic: From Underperformer to Bundesliga Star

Haris Tabakovic, a striker for Borussia Mönchengladbach, has dramatically revitalized his Bundesliga career. Once regarded as a disappointing performer at Hoffenheim, he has rapidly ascended to become one of the most celebrated strikers in Germany within just a few months. Currently, he ranks third in the Bundesliga scoring charts for the 2025/26 season, trailing only Harry Kane and Jonathan Burkardt after 11 matchdays.

Notably, Tabakovic is averaging an impressive 0.7 goals per game this season, placing him among Europe’s elite attackers. Only a select few, including Kane (1.27 goals per game), Erling Haaland (1.17 goals per game), Kylian Mbappé (1.0 goal per game), and Robert Lewandowski (0.8 goals per game) exceed his scoring rate.

In a recent interview with Sport Bild, Tabakovic reflected on both his individual success and the remarkable turnaround of his club. Elaborating on his statistics, he praised Harry Kane’s influence on his game as a center-forward.

“For me, Harry Kane is the ideal representation of a No. 9,” Tabakovic remarked. “I have never witnessed a striker play as deeply as he does. At times, he drops back to positions akin to a No. 6, delivering exceptional diagonal passes forward. To put it frankly, Harry Kane has been a tremendous source of motivation for me.”

Tabakovic continued to explain how observing Kane’s commitment to defense inspired him to reevaluate his own gameplay. “Witnessing how he engages in defensive duties within his own penalty area made me realize the importance of contributing defensively as well. I often found myself thinking, ‘I cannot stay upfront in this situation; I need to sprint back and assist in defense.’

“This realization was further reinforced when reviewing my performances on video. I told myself: ‘Understand this. If a striker of Harry Kane’s caliber is dedicated enough to contribute defensively, then that should be a standard for every striker.’ I consider myself a diligent worker who embraces responsibility.”