Harry Kane struck twice as Bayern Munich eased to a 3-0 dwelling win over 10-man Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, placing them on monitor for the Champions League quarter-finals.
Unable to beat Leverkusen in six makes an attempt since Xabi Alonso took over in October 2022, Bayern have been dominant from begin to end within the first leg of their last-16 tie in opposition to the German champions on the Allianz Area.
Kane headed in a beautiful Michael Olise cross after 9 minutes. Jamal Musiala was within the good spot early within the second half to capitalise on a goalkeeping howler from Matej Kovar, the same old backup to Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky.
Kovar rose excessive however not excessive sufficient, permitting a tame Joshua Kimmich cross to slide by way of his fingers. The ball fell on the ft of a grateful Musiala, who tapped dwelling.
Eight minutes later, centre-back Nordi Mukiele sunk his studs into the calf of Alphonso Davies, choosing up a second yellow.
Mukiele’s alternative Edmond Tapsoba bear-hugged Kane within the field. After the England captain fell to the turf, referee Michael Oliver consulted the VAR display screen and pointed to the spot.
Kane transformed his thirtieth consecutive penalty since his miss for England in opposition to France within the 2022 World Cup, putting Bayern on the right track for a victory within the tie and protecting the dream alive of showing on this season’s remaining in Munich.
Cameras confirmed Alonso, who spoke of the necessity for cool heads on the European stage earlier than the match, along with his head buried in his palms as Kane and Bayern celebrated by the nook flag.
Bayern, who have been thought-about outsiders by an array of pundits earlier than the match, roared again into kind, sending a reminder of the place the steadiness of energy in German soccer lies.
“It was a very huge step in the suitable course. We have struggled in opposition to this facet over the past couple of years, however from the primary minute on we introduced focus and depth,” Kane informed DAZN.
“They will consider they will flip it round and we’ve got to go along with the identical mindset we had right this moment and get by way of.”
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was calm after the match, saying it was “solely half-time” and that he would “under no circumstances” benefit from the end result till a quarter-final spot was safe.
“This sport was till now a very powerful sport of our season. On Tuesday, we go once more after which I hope one other vital sport will come alongside,” he mentioned.
“We’re staying calm and prepared for what comes.”
– Leverkusen’s current dominance damaged –
Final season’s undefeated Bundesliga winners Leverkusen had already eradicated Bayern from the German Cup this season and appeared the higher crew in a scoreless draw between the edges in February.
Like he did in that match, Alonso opted to not identify a striker on this sport, leaving the in-form Patrik Schick on the bench.
Schick’s counterpart Kane was by his requirements on a lean run, with out a objective in 4 matches, however he put Bayern into the lead early, heading dwelling an Olise cross.
Kovar, who emerged as Leverkusen’s cup ‘keeper mid-season, gifted Bayern a second, dropping the ball on the ft of Musiala to go away him with the best of finishes.
Bayern even overcame the lack of veteran captain Manuel Neuer, who was changed by Jonas Urbig with half an hour remaining, however Leverkusen did not problem the 21-year-old debutant.
Mukiele’s sending-off and Kane’s spot-kick put Bayern on the verge of the final eight on a powerful night time for Kompany.
Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka lamented “conceding two very, very bitter and pointless targets,” however mentioned “we have to preserve believing, proper till the top.”
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