After defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League match at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich has one foot in the quarterfinals.
Within the first ten minutes, Harry Kane headed home a spectacular cross from Michael Olise, giving the Bavarians a strong start. The former Tottenham Hotspur player continued to pose a threat during the first half.
Moments later, Dayot Upamecano gave Jeremie Frimpong an easy one-on-one chance after a bad backpass, giving Xabi Alonso’s team a great chance to rally. However, Manuel Neuer’s instinctive close-range reaction saved the center-back’s blushes.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Jamal Musiala struck the crossbar from a corner, and there were moments when tempers flared when players like Granit Xhaka clashed with Kane. The rest of the first forty-five minutes passed with little opportunity for either team, but the home team did have the ball.
Leverkusen goalkeeper Matej Kovar dropped the ball for Musiala to tap in from what appeared to be an easy collection to double Bayern’s lead at the beginning of the second half. Things got worse when referee Michael Oliver gave Nordi Mukiele a second yellow card just after the hour mark, and Tapsoba gave away a penalty in the final 20 minutes.
Kompany’s team won handily thanks to Kane’s third from 12 yards out. They now have total control of the match and will go to the BayArena next week three goals ahead.
To the manager’s credit, the Bavarians were much better on Wednesday night than they were in the dreary 0-0 draw between these two teams on February 15, when Kompany’s Bayern were timid and failed to register a single shot on goal.
After extending their winning streak to 10 with such a strong performance, the hosts, who entered the game unbeaten in their previous nine games, will be sure to defeat any club they face if they advance to the next round.
Additionally, Bayern has a genuine chance to win both the league and the European championship this season with players like Kane in the starting lineup who can win games virtually by themselves.
After Leverkusen’s crushing defeat at the Allianz, Alonso may be regretting his decision to start the game without a recognized striker in the starting lineup.
Although being reduced to 10 men did not help the visitors, they were fortunate to only be three down because their opponents hit the crossbar twice and they played second best the entire time.