Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich have one foot in the quarter-final after winning 3-0 in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
The Bavarians were off to a strong start when Harry Kane headed home a fantastic cross from Michael Olise within the first 10 minutes, and the former Tottenham Hotspur man remained a threat throughout the first half.
Xabi Alonso's side had a huge chance to recover just moments later when Dayot Upamecano gave Jeremie Frimpong an easy one-on-one chance following a poor backpass, but the centre-back's blushes were spared thanks to Manuel Neuer, who reacted instinctively at close range.
The remainder of the first 45 went by without many chances for either side, but the hosts did have the better of the ball, Jamal Musiala hit the crossbar from a corner with just over 20 minutes on the clock, and tempers flared at times when the likes of Granit Xhaka clashed with Kane.
Bayern doubled their lead at the start of the second half when Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar dropped the ball for Musiala to tap in from what seemed to be an easy collection, and things went from bad to worse when Nordi Mukiele was shown a second yellow card by referee Michael Oliver just beyond the hour mark, and Edmond Tapsoba gave away a penalty in the final 20 minutes.
Kane's composed finish from 12 yards secured a dominant victory for Kompany's team, who are now in complete control of the tie and will head to the BayArena three goals to the good next week.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
These two sides played out a dreary 0-0 draw on February 15 in which Kompany's Bayern were timid and failed to register a single shot on target, but to the manager's credit, the Bavarians were significantly better on Wednesday night.
The hosts came into the game unbeaten in their last nine, and having extended their undefeated run to 10 with such a strong performance, they will be confident of beating any club they come up against should they make it to the next round.
Also, with players like Kane in the XI that are capable of winning games almost single-handedly, Bayern have a real chance to complete a league and European double this season.
As for Leverkusen, Alonso opted to start the match without a recognised striker in the XI, and he may be regretting his decision after being on the receiving end of a drubbing at the Allianz.
The visitors were not helped by being reduced to 10 men, but they were second best throughout the match and were lucky to only be three down given that their opponents hit the crossbar twice.
BAYERN MUNICH VS. BAYER LEVERKUSEN HIGHLIGHTS
Harry Kane goal vs. Bayer Leverkusen (9th min, Bayern Munich 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen)
1-0! Harry Kane does it on the big stage! 🏟️🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
What about that cross from Olise too ❄️
📺 Watch the Champions League LIVE on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/DfIkr7McK0
Michael Olise picks up the ball on the right-hand side of Leverkusen's box, drives towards Piero Hincapie and fires an excellent right-footed cross into Harry Kane, who heads powerfully into the bottom-right corner.
Bayern have an early lead!
Jamal Musiala goal vs. Bayer Leverkusen (54th min, Bayern Munich 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen)
Goalkeepers, look away... 😦
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Kovar GIFTS Musiala his 3rd UCL goal of the season!
📺 Watch the Champions League LIVE on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/RWRUk0F5dF
Joshua Kimmich crosses the ball in from the left-hand side of the pitch, Leverkusen's Kovar makes a mess of his catch and drops the ball to Musiala, and the star man has an easy tap in from close range.
62nd min: Nordi Mukiele (Bayer Leverkusen) red card
RED CARD! 😳
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
It goes from bad to worse for Leverkusen, as Mukiele sees red! 🔴
📺 Watch the Champions League LIVE on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/lBAfhZ7eVJ
Harry Kane goal vs. Bayer Leverkusen (75th min, Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen)
Goalkeepers, look away... 😦
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2025
Kovar GIFTS Musiala his 3rd UCL goal of the season!
📺 Watch the Champions League LIVE on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/RWRUk0F5dF
Leverkusen centre-back Tapsoba holds Kane with two arms around his waist, and VAR awards a penalty after the striker goes down in the box.
Kane stutters during his run-up and gives the goalkeeper no chance as he sends the ball into the top-right corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - HARRY KANE
© Imago
The talismanic striker opened the scoring with an exceptional header early in the first half, and capped off a fine display with his side's third from the penalty spot.
With 17 Champions League goals to his name since the start of last season - alongside his immense contributions across the pitch - the Englishman has proven that he has the firepower to take Bayern far in the competition.
BAYERN MUNICH VS. BAYER LEVERKUSEN MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Possession: Bayern Munich 65%-35% Bayer Leverkusen
Shots: Bayern Munich 17-3 Bayer Leverkusen
Shots on target: Bayern Munich 6-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Corners: Bayern Munich 5-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Fouls: Bayern Munich 13-9 Bayer Leverkusen
BEST STATS
7 - Harry Kane has now scored 30+ goals in a season for the seventh time in his club career; since the first season he did so (2014-15), only Robert Lewandowski has more 30+ goal campaigns (9) for clubs in Europe's big-five leagues. Consistency. pic.twitter.com/fT0fs1apP5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 5, 2025
Since making his Champions League debut, only Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema (13 each) have scored more headed goals in the competition than Harry Kane (9 - level with Cristiano Ronaldo). pic.twitter.com/2Au6k45Een
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) March 5, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Next up for Bayern is a Bundesliga clash against relegation-threatened Bochum on Saturday, while Leverkusen will host Werder Bremen on the same date before the second leg next Tuesday.
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