Advantage Bayern after 3-0 first-leg win over Leverkusen | OneFootball

FC Bayern downed Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 on Wednesday night to put themselves in a promising position to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. The German record champions were dominant throughout and Harry Kane handed them an early lead. Jamal Musiala added a second after half-time. Leverkusen were reduced to 10 men when Nordi Mukiele was sent off, before Kane rounded off the final scoreline from the penalty spot.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in defence. Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Musiala and Kingsley Coman, with Kane as the target man. Neuer had to be replaced after half-time, Jonas Urbig taking over for his debut. Josip Stanišić, Leroy Sané, Eric Dier and João Palhinha came on for Laimer, Coman, Kim and Goretzka in the second half.

Kane on target

It was a high-octane encounter between two attack-minded sides, with Bayern in the driving seat. Goretzka had an early header cleared off the line, but Olise's cross soon found Kane, who powered a header past keeper Matej Kovar with just nine minutes played. Jeremie Frimpong had only Neuer to beat after intercepting a pass, but the captain made a good save to preserve the lead.

A Musiala header crashed off the bar at a corner and Coman hit the side-netting, before Goretzka and Kimmich miscued from distance as Bayern pushed for more but had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the break.

Munich motor on

Bayern doubled their advantage after half-time when Kovar dropped Kimmich's cross, with Musiala on hand to mop up from close range. Leverkusen were reduced to 10 men when Mukiele received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Kovar proved equal to an Olise effort, but Bayern were awarded a penalty when Kane was held at a corner, the England captain dispatching from the spot for his 31st goal of the season. Davies saw an effort blocked and Sané fired just wide before Kovar made a fine save to deny Kimmich. A Palhinha shot shaved the crossbar late on as it remained a deserved 3-0 victory in the first leg of this round of 16 tie.

The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday when they entertain Bochum in the Bundesliga before meeting Leverkusen in the return leg next Tuesday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen

Photos from the first leg at home to Leverkusen

The best photos from Bayern's round of 16 first leg at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024/25 Champions League.

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