Harry Kane and Alphonso Davies see Bayern Munich through to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
Bayer Leverkusen couldn't overturn a 3-0 deficit against Bayern Munich, instead falling to a 2-0 loss in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.
Leverkusen’s sense of urgency was evident from the start, combining energetic pressing with incisive passing. However, it was Bayern who almost opened the scoring when Jamal Musiala fed Kane a matter of yards out from an open goal, only for Jonathan Tah to intervene at the vital moment. The clearest sight of goal for the hosts in the opening stages fell to Exequiel Palacios, whose mishit shot from close range failed to test Jonas Urbig. Kane eventually tested Lukáš Hrádecký from distance, but his shot was straight at the Finnish shot-stopper. Michael Olise then tried his luck, but couldn’t bend his shot inside the far post. Leverkusen looked as if they’d pay for their high line when Musiala broke free with Kane and Olise in support, but he stumbled and the three-on-one opportunity went begging. Kingsley Coman was next to go close, firing his shot past Hrádecký’s near post following a corner. The visitors looked confident throughout the first 45, with Leverkusen ultimately failing to unsettle them as they chased the three goals needed to keep the tie alive.
Leverkusen started the second half eager to make up for lost time. They were perhaps too eager, though, giving away cheap fouls early on, which cost them dearly. A deep free-kick from Joshua Kimmich found Kane, who latched onto the pass before tapping home from a yard out. Leverkusen soon regrouped and almost found an equaliser when Dayot Upamecano awkwardly turned a Piero Hincapié cross out for a corner. Jeremie Frimpong then forced a good save from Urbig at his near post. Patrik Schick followed suit minutes later, heading directly at Urbig from close range, with what was arguably their best chance of the game. Bayern then went and got their second of the game, with Alphonso Davies finishing first time from a Kane pass, after Leverkusen had overcommitted. The introductions of Amine Adli and Victor Boniface made the hosts much more dangerous going forward, but they weren’t able to find a way through the Bayern backline. Musiala rattled the post in the closing stages, the final chance of note from either side before Bayern confirmed their place in the quarter-finals, where they'll face Inter Milan.
Match stats
Kane has more goals (10) than any other English player in a single campaign in the competition's history.
He's now level in the 2024/25 Champions League scoring charts with Borussia Dortmund counterpart Serhou Guirassy, behind only Barcelona's Raphinha (11 goals).
Bayern are into the quarters for the sixth successive season.
Alonso was unbeaten in six games against (W3, D3) until home and away defeats in this tie.
Davies has scored twice across his last three Champions League games, having struck once in his first 46.
Bayern could yet win a Bundesliga-Champions League double. They won continental trebles in 2012/13 and 2019/20.
Champions League Round of 16, second leg Round of 16, second leg BayArena
Full-time: Leverkusen 0-2 Bayern
Kane scored and assisted on a night of composure and quality for the Englishman, and the entire Bayern side, against domestic rivals. Leverkusen needed a miracle here but simply couldn’t create enough chances as Bayern kept them at arm’s length in the first half, before rolling them over in the second. A masterclass from Kompany’s side.
Musiala rounds a man on the edge of the area and smacks a low effort towards the right hand of the goal. He beats Hrádecký, only to see his effort ping back off the post. It's the second time he's manged it in the past few minutes.
The away side have been toying with Leverkusen for much of the second half and are enjoying themselves here, keeping the ball and looking to break forward whenever possible.
The youngster is sent clear through on goal and takes a shot from the right side of the box. He beats Hrádecký with a powerful, rising effort, but misses the target. It pings back off the crossbar and away to safety.
77'
Final ball lacking
Davies races behind the defence down the left and spots Gnabry at the far post. He attempts to bend one across the area but Hincapié slides in towards his own goal and gets a toe to it. It's blocked away to safety.
76'
Kane just wide!
Bayern break forward again and Kane runs from the halfway line towards the area, unchallenged. Kane simply has to pick his spot but, under pressure from behind him, fluffs his lines and fires right of the post.
72'
Davies kills the tie!
Bayern break down the right flank before finding Kane, unmarked, just inside the area. The Englishman has the vision to flick a pass, first time, over an onrushing defender and straight into the stride of Davies. The Canadian, sprinting onto the penalty spot, simply side foots an effort into the net. Hrádecký got a touch but it wasn't enough.
Frimpong swings a pinpoint ball across the Bayern area from the right flank. It finds Schick, who rises to head down at the centre of the goal from close range. It's awkward for Ubrig but he gets his body behind it and manages to hold onto it.
The winger receives the ball right of the Bayern box, cuts inside to beat Davies and fires at the near post. Ubrig gets down to parry to safety.
63'
García shoots!
Leverkusen work the ball smartly down the right, before García is teed-up for a shot on the edge of the box. He can't control his effort, however, and it pings wide right.
Scores a Kane
Kane slots Bayern ahead in the second half. He now has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, the joint-most, alongside Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy. The Englishman lags only behind David Beckham in England's all-time Champions League goal involvements, with 49.
Kimmich swings a corner in from the left and it clears everyone but Coman. The Frenchman takes a simple touch at the back post, drags it onto his left foot and fires at the near side of the Leverkusen goal. Hrádecký gets down to parry away.
53'
Kane with the finish!
Far, far too easy for Bayern. Kimmich dinks a free-kick from a central position straight over the Leverkusen defence and Kane, unmarked, races between the centre-backs and the goalkeeper to bring it down and walk it into the net. The home side were all over the place at the back.
A heavy challenge from Xhaka on Musiala hands Bayern a free-kick inside their own half, but the latter has to go off the field for treatment on a bruised and bloodied knee.
49'
Olise close!
A Kane cross from the right looks to be sailing out for a throw on the left but Olise just gets there and keeps it in. He races towards the area, chops the ball behind his standing leg to beat a man and shoots. His shot is deflected wide of the near post.
Both sides have had golden opportunities to score but all square as things stand. Bayern started the brighter, with Musiala and Olise causing problems, but Leverkusen have grown into the half and Schick should have scored with a header just before the break. Time is running out for a home-side miracle.
The referee signals another 120 seconds of action.
44'
Schick just wide!
Leverkusen are causing problems with their crossing and almost score from the latest in-swinger, delivered from a corner. Schick heads at goal from close range but it's just wide of the near post.
41'
Upamecano recovers
Bayern are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left-hand side. Kimmich dinks it towards the back post but it's cleared and Frimpong storms forward on the counter. Upamecano thunders behind him in pursuit and gets there in time to prevent a cross-field diagonal from the halfway line.
40'
Leverkusen starting to tick
The home side have fizzed some seriously dangerous balls into the Bayern area over the past 10 minutes. It's García's turn now, as the midfielder bends one that is begging to be attacked on the penalty spot. Bayern get to it first and clear.
39'
Hermoso off injured
The Spaniard never looked comfortable after hurting himself in an earlier challenge – for which he was also booked – and is replaced by Andrich.
Xhaka receives the ball just wide left of the Bayern box and curls a diagonal to the back post. Schick rises above Upamecano and nods towards goal but he can't keep it on target.
37'
Hermoso returns
The Spaniard pulls his shirt back on and is invited to rejoin play, but he looks in a little discomfort. One to watch.
35'
Leverkusen playing with 10
Hermoso, who injured his upper body getting booked for a challenge on the halfway line a short while ago, has been off the field receiving treatment for the past few minutes. Alonso is frantically asking his medical team to make a decision as quickly as possible.
34'
Better from the home side
Leverkusen steal the ball near the halfway line and feed Schick, on the right side of the area. The striker cuts inside his marker and looks to shoot, but slips as he does so. His effort is blocked behind for a corner, which Ubrig has to clamber for to swat away.
An Olise corner is cleared. Then a dangerous Kimmich cross is cleared. A third ball into the Leverkusen box in quick succession finds Coman, who chests the ball down and takes aim from the right side of the area. The angle is tight and he sends his effort just wide of the near post.
26'
Bayern well on top
Olise, high on the right, fakes a cross with his left, Cruyff turns instead and races towards the byline. He clips a cross to the far post but it's cleared. A second wave of attack sees Davies charge into the Leverkusen box down the left flank but defenders recover to block his pull back behind for a corner.
22'
Tah recovers
The defender is caught dallying in possession by Musiala, who steals the ball near the halfway line and races towards goal. He has just Hermoso and the goalkeeper to beat, and options to his right. Hermoso does well to slow him down and Tah somehow manages to recover just as the attacker attempts to slip in an unmarked Olise. Let off for Leverkusen.
20'
Bayern take charge
Both teams had chances to score in the opening stages but it's Bayern who are beginning to dominate the play now. The visitors have 63 percent possession.
16'
Olise dangerous
Olise cuts inside from the right wing and sends a curling effort towards the far post. It fizzes just wide.
15'
Kane takes aim!
Leverkusen get caught in possession just inside their own half and Kane surges towards goal, with options left and right. He ignores them and sends a thumping effort towards goal from the edge of the area. Hrádecký gets down to beat it away to safety.
13'
Palacios close!
Xhaka receives on the right, just outside Bayern's box, and feeds a smart ball down the line to a rampaging Arthur. The defender cuts a dangerous ball across the area, into the feet of Palacios, awaiting on the penalty spot. But the latter can only scuff his effort wide.
12'
High and wide from Grimaldo
Grimaldo sends the resulting free-kick, in a good position on the right-hand side of Bayern's box and just metres from the area, blazing over the bar.
11'
Cynical from Coman now
That's two early bookings for Bayern. Leverkusen cross from the left and it runs all the way across the box. Coman prevents his man from reaching it with a push in the back.
Olise pings a free-kick from the left wing towards Leverkusen's back post but it's cleared and Frimpong surges forward on the counter. He's charging into the Bayern half as Laimer brings him down from behind. Professional foul and a deserved yellow.
Musiala beats his marker down the right flank with skill and cuts into the box. He plays the ball right across the six-yard line and Kane throws a toe at it. He appears to be pushed to the ground and his team-mates call penalty. But the referee waves play on.
1'
Peeeep!
And we are off at the BayArena. Leverkusen needing a minor miracle to reach the quarter-finals.
Kick-off!
The magic number
Bayern have already lost by three-goal margins twice in the Champions League this season – a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona and a 3-0 loss to Feyenoord. Doing so again would send this tie to extra-time.
Yep, that's grass!
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany checks out the playing surface ahead of this second-leg clash.
Following Saturday's surprise 3-2 home defeat to Bochum, the Bayern coach wields his axe. The entire back line has swapped out, with Boey, Stanišić, Dier and Ito making way for Laimer, Upamecano, Kim and Davies. Palhinha, who was sent off at the weekend, is benched for Goretzka. The trio behind Kane have also been exchanged, with Sané, Guerreiro and Gnabry left out of the team in place of Olise, Musiala and Coman.
Sweeping changes for Leverkusen
It appears Alonso has opted for both a change of personnel and formation following Saturday's disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Bremen. Arthur and Hincapié come into a back four, with Tapsoba dropping to the bench. In midfield, Frimpong, Palacios, and Grimaldo replace Buendía, Adli and Tella. Schick starts up front having been left out for the first leg.
Bayern starting XI against Leverkusen
Urbig - Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies - Goretzka, Kimmich (c) - Olise, Musiala, Coman - Kane
Although not nominally an attacking player, Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka is certainly fond of a superb strike or assist from time to time - as this video of all his goal contributions in the Bundesliga to date attests.
Big night for Urbig
Fresh after making his Bundesliga debut on Saturday, 21-year-old Jonas Urbig is set to make his first Champions League start in Leverkusen after Manuel Neuer sustained a calf injury in the first leg. The January signing from Cologne has been backed by Bayern after making several strong saves despite the defeat against Bochum, with head of sport Max Eberl saying: "He couldn't do anything about the goals. He did everything he had to do superbly."
In February 2024, Leverkusen opened up a big advantage in the Bundesliga title race by beating rivals Bayern 3-0 at home - the winning margin they need tonight to force extra-time.
Inter up next?
The winners of the tie will face either Inter Milan or Feyenoord in the quarter-finals - with the Serie A side (who lost 1-0 in Leverkusen and beat Leipzig 1-0 in Milan earlier in the league stage) currently ahead in that encounter, having won the first leg 2-0 in Rotterdam.
Watch: All of Patrick Schick's Bundesliga goals this season
Will Xabi Alonso call on the Czech striker, who has 16 goals in 21 Bundesliga appearances but began the first leg on the bench, as Leverkusen look for a bagful of goals?
Kane's view
“I expect Leverkusen to attack just like they did when we played away at them in the league. It was a similar situation in which they felt they had to win," said the England captain and Bayern striker. "We need to be ready for that.”
"He has that mix. He's very dangerous out wide, provided an assist in the first leg. But he also has the qualities to play centrally. That package will be important for the future. He doesn't overthink it much and is performing on a consistent basis right now."
"He's a player who makes the difference, who you can't replace like-for-like. But we can't change how we prepare for the game. There are so many other players with a lot of quality. We need to perform to our best again so we can win the game. I hope Florian recovers quickly."
"You need to analyse the game in a different way. We had the game under control at the start but then conceded from a set piece and got a red card, which changed the game. In the second half, we didn't manage to out there with the mentality you need when a man down."
"My relationship with the coach has been very good from the start. I always had a good feeling that he held me in high esteem and was honest with me. I also believe he was convinced by me. It's been a positive change."
"It's obviously an advantage that we're coming here with a 3-0 lead from the first leg. It's our fifth game against Leverkusen, and they were all really tight games. Regardless of the first leg, we want to win tomorrow and show our best side."
Jonathan Tah's thoughts on how to approach Tuesday
"The Bundesliga game at home is our ideal example of energy, intensity and aggression. We want to build on that. It could be a game that goes down in history. The chance is there, and we'll try to take it. It's a huge challenge, but we're happy to take it on and will give our all tomorrow. We need to believe we can do it. We can't be fearful. We've got nothing to lose. That's the mentality in this game."
"The first step is to believe that we can do it. For us and also everyone coming to the stadium, it's about believing from the first second. It's a game that can go down in history for our club if we play with great intensity, heart but also with our heads. It's a chance we might not ever get in our careers. Yes, we know how tough it'll be, but sometimes big situations create epic games. We need to believe. We've got nothing to lose. Only Bayern can lose. Anything can happen in the game. A first goal can have a big impact."
Watch: Michael Olise - all of his Bundesliga goals and assists so far
The winger should return to the starting line-up for this one. Enjoy his best moments since his move to the Bundesliga last summer in anticipation.
Bayern's away struggles
Leverkusen can take solace from Bayern's disappointing away record in Europe this term. They lost three of their four away league phase matches, two of which were by at least three goals, before narrowly winning at Celtic in the play-off round.
Team news
Outside of Wirtz and Mukiele, Alonso will also be without Jeanuël Belocian and Martin Terrier for this clash. Bayern, meanwhile, have Manuel Neuer and Aleksandar Pavlović unavailable, meaning Jonas Urbig is set to make his maiden Champions League start.
On four previous occasions, teams have overcome a three-goal Champions League first-leg deficit to progress: Liverpool against Barcelona in 2018/19, Roma against Barcelona in 2017/18, Barcelona against Paris Saint-Germain in 2016/17 and Deportivo de La Coruña in 2003/04.
Wirtz out
Leverkusen will have to turn this tie around without star man Florian Wirtz, who will be now be missing for several weeks following an injury suffered against Bremen. He didn't start the match, but was brought on in the second half and was soon replaced after a Mitchell Weiser tackle.
Leverkusen suffered just a second home Bundesliga defeat since May 2023 as they were beaten by Bremen on Matchday 25 of the Bundesliga term.
Work for Leverkusen to do
The Werkself find them 3-0 down after the first leg following a disappointing night at the Allianz Arena. A brace from Harry Kane, including a penalty, and a Jamal Musiala strike put Bayern in control, but that only tells part of the story. Matěj Kovář's fumble allowed Musiala to tap the ball into an empty net, while Nordi Mukiele's red card only further compounded Leverkusen's terrible evening. They are up against it now, even with 90 minutes left - it will take something special for them to progress.
Welcome!
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of the second leg of this all-German UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, being played at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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First-leg report
It's Bayern Munich's tie to lose after the six-time European champions proved too good for ten-man Bayer Leverkusen in the teams' UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg.
Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen Goals: 1-0 Kane 9' (assist: Olise), 2-0Musiala 54', 3-0 Kane (pen.) 75' Red card: Mukiele 62'
Going into the game at the Allianz Arena, the pre-match script may have appeared to favour the visitors. Bayern, despite being the current Bundesliga leaders, had failed to get the better of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen in the Spaniard’s six meetings against the Bavarian giants at the helm of the Werkself. Added to that, the hosts had only eliminated Celtic at the death in a play-off to set-up this tie, while striker Harry Kane was enduring a four-match goal drought. Just nine minutes into the team's fourth encounter this season, however, the hosts set the script alight by hitting the front in emphatic fashion. Not long after Mario Hermoso rescued Bayer 04 with a clearance to deny Leon Goretzka, Kane powered home a thundering header after meeting Michael Olise’s whipped centre from the right. The forward’s eighth Champions League goal of the season should have settled the hosts, yet Dayot Upamecano displayed nerves when he inadvertently played Jeremie Frimpong in on goal. The flying Dutchman saw his subsequent effort blocked wide by Manuel Neuer. The home side soon retook control and were a fraction away from 2-0 when Musiala headed Joshua Kimmich’s corner against the crossbar. Kingsley Coman and Kimmich both had efforts that narrowly missed the target thereafter.
If Bayern’s task was relatively straightforward in a largely one-sided first-half, events after the restart would tilt this tie firmly in the record Bundesliga champions’ favour. When Kimmich launched a searching pass into the danger zone, Bayer keeper Matěj Kovář appeared to have the situation under control. Not so. The Czech custodian allowed the ball to slip through his grasp and Musiala was there to prod home his third goal of the competition. The mood inside the stadium dipped slightly when Neuer limped out of the contest to be replaced by 21-year-old Bayern debutant Jonas Urbig. Yet a sense of home calm swiftly followed after Nordi Mukiele was ordered off for raking his studs down Coman’s calf. Already up against it, the defending Bundesliga champions – previously unbeaten away against German opponents since May 2023 – saw their hopes of a place in the last eight almost extinguished when Edmond Tapsoba hauled Kane to the floor, before Bayern’s No. 9 shook himself off and dispatched the spot-kick with his usual assuredness. Substitutes Leroy Sané and João Palhinha missed chances to put the last-16 tie beyond doubt late on, but when the final whistle sounded in Munich, Vincent Kompany and his players were more than happy with the three-goal haul they will take to the BayArena for the return leg next Tuesday.
