Bayern Munich took control of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg tie with a 3-0 victory against Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
In an historic night between the sides that marked the first ever European meeting between the two, Leverkusen went into the match with a healthy record against the Bundesliga leaders, as they had not tasted defeat since 2022.
That all changed as Bayern dominated from start to finish. Harry Kane netted a brace, and Jamal Musiala’s poacher’s finish put the visitors to bed. Their issues were compiled when Nordi Mukiele was sent off in the second half after two yellow card offences.
It was as dominant as it could have been from the 32-time Bundesliga champions, as Leverkusen failed to lay a glove on their domestic rivals throughout the tie. The result leaves a monumental task ahead for Die Werkself next Tuesday at the BayArena.
As it happened
The first chance of the first-ever European fixture between the two sides fell to Bayern, as Joshua Kimmich delivered a perfect ball into the area that found Leon Goretzka. His effort was goal-bound before an excellent clearance from Mario Hermoso kept the danger at bay. However, the could not keep it that way for long.
Bayern took an early lead in the ninth minute through their English talisman. Michael Olise whipped a delicious cross into the area and Kane’s movement bested Mukiele, who was powerless to stop the striker from planting his header beyond Matěj Kovář. That was his eighth UEFA Champions League goal of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesOut of nothing, Dayot Upamecano gifted the visitors an incredible opportunity to equalise when he passed back to Manuel Neuer, only to see the stupendous Jeremie Frimpong pick up the ball inside the area. The Frenchman could only hope as Frimpong poked his effort goal-wards, however Bayern keeper made an unbelievable save to deny the Dutchman.
From that point onwards, Bayern took complete control of the first half and nearly doubled their advantage when Musiala hit the woodwork after connecting with a corner, but he could only look on in anguish as his header clipped the crossbar and flew over.
More efforts came from the hosts, as Kingsley Coman blasted one just past the post from the edge of the area, Goretzka skewed an effort wide and Kimmich took aim from 30 yards, only to see his dipping effort fly agonisingly wide of the post.
Heading into the break, Vincent Kompany would be the happier of the two managers. That would remain the case as Bayern extended their lead nine minutes after the break.
An absolute howler from Kovář gifted Bayern a second goal at the Allianz Arena, as Kimmich whipped in an overhit ball that should have been claimed. However, the Czech shot-stopper dropped the ball behind him and Musiala pounced to poke home and give Bayern a two-goal cushion.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere was a worry for the hosts as Neuer was replaced by 21-year-old Jonas Urbig. Heading into the second leg next week, Kompnay will be sweating over the fitness of his captain.
Things then went from bad to worse for Xabi Alonso’s side, as Mukiele was given his marching orders after a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Coman. Whatever the Spaniard’s tactical plan or team talk at halftime was, it did not work, and the tie was turning into a nightmare for the Bundesliga champions.
To add insult to injury, in the 73rd minute substitute Edmond Tapsoba – who had only just entered the pitch – grappled with Kane from a corner and hauled him to the ground. VAR spotted the incident and recommended an on field review before a penalty was awarded.
Kane superbly converted the spot kick into the top right corner as the Bayern players wheeled to celebrate a super first leg performance.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt could have got even better, when former Manchester City winger Leroy Sané had an opportunity to make it four late on, but he wildly blazed his effort off target.
In stoppage time, Musiala produced an incredible moment of pure skill and creativity as he left his man for dead before squaring to substitute João Palhinha, who clipped the top of the crossbar with the goal gaping.
On an exceptional night for Bayern, they head into next week’s return leg at the BayArena full of confidence and with the cushion of a three-goal advantage. Die Werkself, on the other hand, have a monumental task ahead of them to turn this tie around and will be looking for a minor miracle.
The lineups
BAY: Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
B04: Kovář; Hermoso, Tah, Hincapié; Mukiele, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Wirtz; Frimpong, Adli