Bayern Leverkusen came into the match unbeaten in their previous 4 encounters with Bayern Munich but it was individual errors that saw them 3-0 losers.
Leverkusen’s first blow of the evening came in the 9th min as Harry Kane caught Nordi Mukiele sleeping to at the back post to head home an excellent cross from Michael Olise.
The visitors nearly got themselves straight back into the contest when a poor back pass from Dayot Upamecano was latched onto by Jeremie Frimpong, whose goal attempt was stopped by veteran Manuel Neuer.
The rest of the half saw the home side control the action but unable to add to their one goal lead.
In the 53rd min Leverkusen Goalkeeper Matěj Kovář dropped what should have been a routine ball in for oncoming attacker Jamal Musiala to slot home and double his sides lead.
Neur then went down in injured in the 57th min of his 150th Champions League appearance, which lead to competition novice Jonas Urbig coming on for his Champions League debut.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 05: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig celebrates the 3-0 win result during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between FC Bayern München and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Allianz Arena on March 05, 2025 in Munich, Germany. | Photo: (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Despite the forced changing of keepers things went from bad to worst for Leverkusen as in the 61st minute, Mukiele kicked the achilles of winger Kingsley Coman to receive his second yellow of the match and be sent for an early bath.
To help adjust to the loss of the french dender, Xabi Alonso subbed on center back Edmond Tapsoba but the substitution had the opposite of the desired outcome with Tapsoba wrapping his arms round Kane to give away a penalty in the 73rd minute.
Kane continued his 100% record from the spot scored his 13th penalty of the season rifling the ball into the top of the goal.
The 10-men of Leverkusen chose to defend for the rest of match and were able to keep the deficit at three goals.
Second Leg Implications
It leaves Leverkusen with a mountain to climb with just a week until the second leg is played.
It will be interesting to see if Alonso adapts his style of play for the fixture at the BayArena.
The Spaniard opted not to play either of his conventional strikers in first leg but needing goals in the second one or both of Patrik Schick or Victor Boniface could be in from the off for the second leg.
