Bayern Munich demonstrated their dominance over Bayer Leverkusen with a resounding 3-0 victory on March 5, 2025, during the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Allianz Arena. Following recent struggles, Bayern showed they still hold the upper hand against their Bundesliga rivals, especially under coach Xabi Alonso.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their authority, with Harry Kane scoring the opener just nine minutes after kickoff. The English striker expertly directed a header from Michael Olise's pinpoint cross, marking his ninth headed goal in the Champions League, only surpassed by stars like Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.
Despite having built up considerable optimism before the match, Leverkusen struggled to find any rhythm, managing only one shot on target all evening. Their best chance at leveling came from Jeremie Frimpong, who pounced on Dayot Upamecano's error, only to be thwarted by Manuel Neuer, who was making his 150th Champions League start.
Early in the second half, the game’s tide turned decisively when goalkeeper Matěj Kovar made a costly mistake, failing to handle another cross correctly. This allowed Jamal Musiala to convert the opportunity, making it 2-0. It was Musiala's 17th goal of the season, marking his best campaign yet.
The situation worsened for Leverkusen when Nordi Mukiele received his second yellow card for fouling Kingsley Coman. Soon after, Edmond Tapsoba compounded his team's woes by conceding a penalty after pulling Kane down, which Kane himself converted, sealing the match at 3-0.
With such heavy defeats weighing on Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso addressed the media post-match, indicating the need for "a big miracle" to overcome Bayern's lead when they meet again for the second leg. Having enjoyed success against Bayern previously, Alonso lamented self-inflicted errors this time out and emphasized the importance of maturity and emotional control on the pitch.
Alonso stated, "We need to play maturely to control the game, and today we gave all the chances to Bayern to win 3-0." His comments reflect the coach's frustration, especially as Leverkusen had come to rely on their historical success against Bayern, having not lost to them since he took the helm.
Joshua Kimmich's return to form proved pivotal for Bayern. Regaining his stride, Kimmich provided the cross leading to Musiala's goal, and he orchestrated play from the midfield effectively. This performance rekindled hopes for Bayern's potential deep run in the Champions League and solidified their position within the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, the match saw Manuel Neuer replaced due to mild calf concerns, leading to the introduction of 21-year-old Jonas Urbig, who made his long-anticipated debut. The young goalkeeper's appearance marked one of several talking points from the match. Supporters and pundits alike expressed curious anticipation over his performance as Bayern now prepares for the return fixture with their commanding lead.
Bayern Munich's victory serves as both affirmation of their strength and as analysis fodder for their rivals. The team not only maintained solid options on their roster, as expected, but also demonstrated remarkable depth and coherence as they seek success on multiple fronts: the Champions League and Bundesliga. It's clear Bayern are on track to make headlines with their championship pursuits, and all eyes will remain steadfastly watching how the return leg against Leverkusen plays out.
With Leverkusen trailing and their confidence shaken, it’s uncertain how they will react to this setback. Fans will be left eagerly waiting to see if they can pull off one of football’s famous comebacks or if they will succumb under the pressure created by Bayern’s superior performance.
Next week's second leg will certainly fulfill the promise of high stakes and intense drama as Bayer Leverkusen tries to etch their way back onto the stage, fueled by their coach’s rallying cry for resilience and determination. For Bayern, it will be about maintaining their current momentum and securing passage to the quarter-finals amid mounting expectations for glory.