Harry Kane played a crucial role as Bayern Munich secured a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 5-0 aggregate score. Despite a scoreless first half, Kane scored early in the second half from a Joshua Kimmich cross and assisted Alphonso Davies’ goal in the 71st minute. Leverkusen fought hard but was hampered by the absence of key midfielder Florian Wirtz. Manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged their challenges but praised the team’s effort. Bayern displayed dominance, and Kane’s performance bolstered their hopes for a successful run in the tournament, aiming for redemption after their 2012 final loss.
Harry Kane found the back of the net and assisted another goal as Bayern Munich secured a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 5-0. Bayern performed confidently against last season’s unbeaten German champions, having already established a strong 3-0 lead in the first leg at home. The first half ended without any goals, prompting Leverkusen to push forward in search of required goals, but it was Bayern who drew first blood, with Kane skillfully tapping in a cross from Joshua Kimmich early in the second half.
As Leverkusen continued to attack, Bayern extended their lead in the 71st minute when Alphonso Davies converted a clever chip from Kane, driving it low and hard into the net.
Kane, often scrutinized for his absence in crucial matches and his tendency to score against weaker opponents, demonstrated his commanding presence once again, just as he had with a brace in Munich.
The England captain displayed both finesse and strength, helping keep Bayern’s hopes alive for a dream home final and an opportunity to rectify the memories of their 2012 Champions League final defeat against Chelsea.
“We didn’t want to be a team that sat back and defended the lead. We aimed to be proactive, apply pressure, and create chances to secure the win,” Kane stated to Amazon Prime.
“It’s always a challenge when you hold a 3-0 lead. Psychologically, it can be tough. However, I believe we handled it excellently today. To defeat this team 5-0 over two legs reflects the caliber of our squad.”
Despite the absence of key midfielder Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen displayed spirit, yet the challenge proved too great.
With an eight-point deficit to Bayern in the league, Xabi Alonso’s last shot at silverware this season lies in the German Cup, where Leverkusen has advanced to the semi-finals.
Alonso commended his team for “battling until the end with pride and dignity,” but acknowledged, “we didn’t lose the tie today — we made it unnecessarily difficult for ourselves in the second leg.”
Bayern in the driver’s seat
One month after overpowering Leverkusen at the same location yet failing to score, the circumstances were drastically different for this match.
Following a dismal performance in Munich, which was arguably one of the worst during Alonso’s 30-month tenure, Leverkusen sought to turn the tide against Bayern without their top player, Wirtz, due to injury.
After facing backlash for his selections in Munich, notably leaving out in-form striker Patrik Schick and utilizing backup goalkeeper Matej Kovar, Alonso opted to start Schick and reinstated captain Lukas Hradecky as goalkeeper.
Bayern’s Vincent Kompany made just one change, with rookie goalkeeper Jonas Urbig stepping in for the injured veteran Manuel Neuer.
Early on, Kane demonstrated Bayern’s intent, forcing Hradecky into acrobatic saves twice within the first 15 minutes.
While Leverkusen struggled without Wirtz and lacked some fluidity, they remained ambitious, with an animated Alonso urging them forward from the sidelines.
Schick, who had only seen a total of 11 minutes of play in Leverkusen’s previous two matches, came close by heading just wide with 38 minutes played, marking the hosts’ best opportunity of the first half.
The second half necessitated more risk-taking for Leverkusen, and Bayern sensed an opportunity.
In the 52nd minute, Kane benefited from Kimmich’s lofted pass, effectively extinguishing any remaining hopes for Leverkusen.
Later, Kane assisted Davies for a goal with less than 20 minutes remaining, propelling Bayern into the quarter-finals and keeping his aspirations for a team trophy alive on the grand stage of club football.
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