Bayern Munich has once again proven their dominance on the European stage, comfortably advancing to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in the second leg of their round of 16 tie on March 11, 2025. With the aggregate score standing at 5-0, Bayern's path to the final eight seems clearer than ever.
The Bavarians entered the match at BayArena riding high from their commanding 3-0 victory during the first leg, and they did not falter. Harry Kane opened the scoring early in the second half, netting his 10th goal of this Champions League season when he capitalized on Joshua Kimmich's free-kick. Following his tap-in from close range on 52 minutes, Kane not only reflected his scoring prowess but also cemented his place as the first English player to achieve ten goals in a single European Cup season.
Alphonso Davies capped off the night with his goal on 71 minutes, receiving the assist from Kane himself. The Canadian international showcased his speed and finishing ability, slotting the ball past Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Lukas Hrádecký, much to the delight of Bayern fans. "A really good performance," Kane remarked post-match. "From the first minute, we didn't want to be a team who dropped off and defended the lead. We wanted to be on the front foot, put pressure on, and create chances to win the game. We did just this."
Bayer Leverkusen entered the match with hope, needing to overturn their three-goal deficit, but were left frustrated throughout. The hosts’ tactics, marked by energetic pressing and incisive passing, fell short against Bayern’s solid defensive setup. They struggled to create scoring opportunities, and their lack of creativity was palpable without injured star Florian Wirtz. Their best chance came late in the first half when Patrik Schick’s header narrowly missed.
After Bayern had seemingly settled the tie, Leverkusen found themselves on the back foot for much of the match. The hosts did have some flashes of offensive effort, but they quickly gave away fouls, providing Bayern with favorable set-piece opportunities. Bayern’s 29 shots across the two legs, with five missed clear chances, underscored their attacking dominance.
While Bayern Munich controlled the match, players like Jamal Musiala showcased their talent. Musiala hit the crossbar late on, echoing the frustration of his side, which had repeatedly threatened to add to their tally. Looking forward, Bayern are set to face Inter Milan, who overcame Feyenoord with a 4-1 aggregate score. This upcoming clash looms large as both clubs aim for European glory.
Davies, who played the full 90 minutes, continues to rise as key player for Canada, preparing for the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against Mexico next week. His contributions have been pivotal; since returning from injury, he has scored twice across his last three Champions League games. The significance of this latter match with Inter Milan will be emphasized by Bayern's ambitions; they aim to secure both Bundesliga and Champions League titles once more.
Although Bayern stumbled slightly over the weekend with a surprising 3-2 defeat to VfL Bochum, they assuredly regained their footing on European soil. Head coach Vincent Kompany spoke of the squad's mental and physical readiness after surpassing the challenge posed by Leverkusen. "We showed what type of team we are; we pressed high and with intensity. That’s what we wanted to come here and do," he stated, confident about Bayern’s potential to make another deep run.
Leverkusen, managed by Xabi Alonso, has faced its fair share of challenges recently. Having drawn their previous league matches against Bayern earlier this season and claiming victory over them once during the DFB Cup, they had hoped some home advantage would help rectify their earlier defeat. Instead, the match underscored the growing gap between these Bundesliga rivals. Leverkusen continues to reel from recent losses, hampered by personnel issues, including the absence of key players like Wirtz.
Post-match discussions will no doubt center on Leverkusen’s need for reinforcements and strategy reshaping as they grapple to maintain their competitiveness both domestically and across Europe. Meanwhile, Bayern's focus will shift to continuity, embodying aspiration and resolve as they approach the quarter-finals.
Returning to the Bundesliga before the international break, Bayern Munich is poised to dominate, holding an eight-point lead over Leverkusen. Their next league clash against Union Berlin will set the tone for their momentum leading up to the pivotal face-off against Inter Milan, drawing significant anticipation from fans and analysts alike.