Powerless Bayer lose 2-0 at home to Bayern

"There is no greater test than this when we are without Witz" acknowledged Xabi Alonso, aware that his team faces a brutally tough challenge to overturn a 0-3 deficit and eliminate Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League quarterfinals—without their top scorer, Florian Wirtz. The hosts failed in their attempt, losing again (this time 0-2), and did not deserve a passing grade on this test. Without their best player this season (15 goals, 13 assists in 39 appearances), who was injured in the first leg, Bayer looked unconvincing—too tame for a rival like Bayern, especially in a situation where they needed to claw back a three-goal deficit.

From the start, the visitors were more decisive in their attacks. While they didn’t completely dominate or control the game, they knew exactly how they wanted to score the one goal that would definitively secure their passage to the next round and set up a showdown with Inter in mid-April. They achieved that in the 52nd minute through Harry Kane, who converted a Joshua Kimmich cross from a set-piece. The home side's defenders were poorly positioned, Patrik Schick reacted awkwardly, and the lethal English striker does not miss such gifts. It was Kane’s 32nd goal of the season, along with 11 assists, and his 10th in the Champions League—his third in this tie against Bayer.

With the Bundesliga title already secured, if Bayern were to also lift the Champions League trophy, Kane would undoubtedly be a strong contender in the next Ballon d’Or race. Shortly after taking the lead, the visitors nearly doubled their advantage through Kingsley Coman, but Lukas Hradecky was well-positioned to make the save. The Frenchman later signaled an injury concern, and with the outcome already decided, Vincent Kompany chose to immediately sub him out for Serge Gnabry. It was Gnabry who played a key role in Bayern’s second goal, which came in a similar manner to the first, albeit from a deeper set-piece on Bayern’s half. Kimmich delivered the ball, and once again, Bayer’s defenders were caught out of position. Gnabry was the first to react, shielding the ball despite being surrounded by three opponents. He laid it off to Leon Goretzka, who passed to Kane, and Alphonso Davies finished the move to make it 2-0.

Florian Wirtz injured till the end of the season!

This season, Bayer Leverkusen has lacked the cutting edge they had last year when Xabi Alonso’s team won the Bundesliga for the first time in club history and reached the Europa League final. Without Florian Wirtz, the "Pharmacists" were almost toothless in attack. They managed seven shots in the first half, 17 in total, which sounds promising, but they had to wait until the 65th minute for their first effort on target. Jeremie Frimpong attempted a long-range strike, followed by Schick’s header a minute later, but young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig—who once again deputized for the injured Manuel Neuer—was up to the task on both occasions.

Bayern thrash awful Bayer, Kane scores a brace

This marks Bayern’s sixth consecutive appearance in the Champions League quarterfinals. The club has been waiting for another European triumph since 2020, and after dispatching Bayer with relative ease, fans' belief in ultimate success is growing. Their next opponent, Inter, doesn’t appear unbeatable, although the Milan side was convincing against Feyenoord, winning 2-0 in Rotterdam before securing a 2-1 victory at home.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

Second leg

Tuesday

Barcelona - Benfica 3-1 (3-1)

/Raphinha 11, 42, Yamal 27 - Otamendi 13/

Inter Milan - Feyenoord 2-1 (1-1)

/Thuram 8, Cahlanoglu (p) 51 - Moder 42(p)

Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern Munich 0-2 (0-0)

/Kane 52, Alphonso Davies 71/

Liverpool - PSG 0-1 (0-1)

/Dembele 12/

Wednesday

20.45: (2.85) Lille (3.35) Dortmund (2.65)

23.00: (1.42) Arsenal (4.80) PSV (9.00)

23.00: (1.62) Aston Villa (3.90) Club Brugge (5.60)

23.00: (2.60) Atl. Madrid (3.50) Real Madrid (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***