Claiming Bundesliga bragging rights and storming their method to a first-leg benefit, Bayern Munich opened their Champions League Spherical of 16 marketing campaign with a 3-0 romp towards Bayer Leverkusen.
Vincent Kompany’s facet obtained off to a dream begin on the Allianz as England skipper Harry Kane headed house following an exquisite supply from ex-Crystal Palace ace Michael Olise after simply 9 minutes.
Dominating on both facet of the half-time break and with Leverkusen drastically failing to search out any form of fluidity, Bayern deservedly doubled their lead after the interval as Jamal Musiala notched a 3rd Champions League purpose of the season.
With their backs towards the wall from the opening whistle, issues obtained even worse for the reigning Bundesliga champions as PSG loanee Nordi Mukiele was proven a second yellow card simply after the hour mark.
In what was an actual night time to recollect for Bayern, Kane topped off a devastating show as the previous Spurs star transformed from the penalty spot within the Seventy fifth-minute.
With a quarter-final showdown towards Feyenoord or Inter Milan now inside touching distance, the German rivals will meet for his or her second-leg contest on the BayArena subsequent week.
On an evening when Bayern laid down an actual marker on the Allianz, now we have taken a have a look at the principle speaking factors from Wednesday’s first-leg showdown.
An evening to recollect for Bayern
Whereas some across the Allianz might need been shocked final summer season following Kompany’s arrival, the German giants have launched into an actual rise underneath the steerage of the previous Burnley boss.
At present holding a commanding eight-point buffer on the prime of the Bundesliga desk and sat firmly within the driving seat to recapture their home crown in 2025, Wednesday’s hosts might have their sights set on a well-known silverware sweep over the subsequent couple of months.
Breezing previous their home rivals right here and laying down what was a serious assertion of intent, Bayern’s rampant efficiency on Wednesday night time would have actually been famous from throughout the continent.
Choosing up some good momentum final weekend as they clinched a 3-1 win away at Stuttgart, Kompany’s squad are actually hitting prime gear a vital time of the season.
Travelling to the BayArena subsequent week with a dominant three-goal benefit, Bayern will have already got one eye on what can be a blockbuster quarter-final showdown towards Italian heavyweights Inter Milan.
Who else however Kane?
With Bayern understanding the significance of claiming an important first-leg benefit on Wednesday night time, it was unsurprisingly their attacking talisman who stole all the headlines.
Solely persevering with to shatter a string of long-standing data since arriving from Tottenham in the summertime of 2023, the England skipper has solely additional cemented his spot as considered one of world soccer’s most deadly marksmen.
Bagging yet one more Champions League brace right here and operating rampant on the Allianz, Kane drew a line underneath his minor four-match drought with a devastating show right here.
With the 31-year-old desperately in search of what can be a primary piece of silverware this season, Kane has now notched 9 objectives in his 10 Champions League appearances this yr.
With many now beginning to have a look at Kompany’s facet as a real European candidate, Bayern’s newest poster boy will definitely have a number one position to play.
Leverkusen’s desires hanging by a thread
Claiming a 1-0 victory once they travelled to the Allianz for a DFP Pokal tie again on December third, Bayer Leverkusen have been desperately in search of one other gritty efficiency in Munich.
Nonetheless, regardless of having fun with an actual group stage romp this season as they snatched a top-eight end, Xabi Alonso’s males got here crashing again right down to earth in a worrying vogue on Wednesday night time.
In search of what can be a European miracle once they return to the BayArena subsequent week, it’s honest to say that Leverkusen have been utterly dominated throughout the park and Alonso might be rightfully involved by a lacklustre show underneath the intense lights.
Whereas the previous Liverpool midfielder might need guided Leverkusen to a maiden Bundesliga crown final season as Wednesday’s visitors loved a outstanding rise to superstardom, they’ve failed to duplicate that dominance this time round.
Though Alonso’s facet may be cruising their method to a silver medal end this season, a thumping European exit by the hands of their bitter rivals will go away a nasty style of their mouth.
Match Report
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies, Kimmich, Goretzka, Olise, Musiala, Coman, Kane
Subs: Urbig, Sane, Stanisic, Dier, Palhinha
Bayer Leverkusen: Kovar, Hermoso, Tah, Hincapie, Grimaldo, Mukiele, Palacios, Xhaka, Wirtz, Frimpong, Adil
Subs: Tapsoba, Arthur, Schick, Garcia, Buendia
Objectives: Kane (9’, 75’ P), Musiala (54’)
Yellow Playing cards: Bayern Munich: Goretka, Laimer – Bayer Leverkusen: Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba
Purple Playing cards: Mukiele (62’)
Referee: Michael Oliver