FC Bayern also won the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in commanding fashion, defeating Atalanta Bergamo 4-1. The record champions dominated the game for long stretches and never let any doubts arise about their progression to the quarter-finals, where Real Madrid now await the Munich side.
Vincent Kompany made five changes to his starting XI compared to the last Bundesliga match. Jonas Urbig was back in goal, while Minjae Kim and Tom Bischof moved into the back four in defence. Leon Goretzka started in midfield alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic, while Raphaël Guerreiro started in attack at number 10. Harry Kane was also in the starting XI after having been on the bench several times recently due to injury.
Munich took control from the start and patiently ran the ball through their own ranks. Atalanta retreated deep and concentrated almost exclusively on defending. Chances initially came mainly from distance before a VAR decision led to the lead: after a handball by Giorgio Scalvini, referee Benoît Bastien pointed to the spot. Harry Kane initially failed to beat Marco Sportiello, but was allowed to retake the ball – and converted at the second attempt to make it 1-0 (25′).
Bayern remained clearly superior after that. The visitors rarely got in front of Urbig’s goal, but had a great chance to equalize shortly before the break. After a header hit the post, Urbig reacted strongly and prevented Mario Pašalić from scoring from close range (43′).
Kane goes one better – Bayern make it all clear
The picture remained unchanged after the break before the game was decided within a few minutes. In the 54th minute, Kane made a strong run into the penalty area and scored with a precise finish from around 14 meters to make it 2-0.
Substitute Deniz Ofli opened the scoring a little later, with Lennart Karl completing the attack with a well-placed finish into the far corner to make it 3-0 (56′).
Atalanta then tried to become a little more active, but hardly had any clear shots. Instead, Munich struck again with ice-cold precision: After winning the ball, Karl sent Luis Díaz on his way, who kept his cool in front of Sportiello and lifted the ball over the keeper to make it 4:0 (70′).
Bayern remained clearly superior in the final phase, but had to concede another goal. After a corner, Mario Pašalić extended the ball to the second post, where Lazar Samardžić headed in from close range to make it 4-1 (85′). However, Munich’s victory was no longer in real danger, as the home side controlled the game with aplomb in the final minutes.
The ultimate cracker awaits in the quarter-finals
FC Bayern’s clear victory means they are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they will face Real Madrid, who beat Manchester City twice. The first leg will take place in Madrid on 7 or 8 April, with the second leg a week later at the Allianz Arena.
FC Bayern’s Bundesliga campaign continues on Saturday with a home match against Union Berlin, while Atalanta Bergamo host Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday.