Champions League: Neuer is probably injured in cheering

After a real demonstration of power, the professionals of FC Bayern danced in front of their fans and enjoyed the giant step towards the quarter -finals. After the best season performance and the goals of the offensive stars Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala to 3-0 (1-0) in the German Champions League cracker against the new rival Bayer Leverkusen, the move into the next round of the Champions League.

“It’s really a big step in the right direction,” said Kane at the streaming service DAZN: “Half of the job is done, now we are looking forward to next week.” The two goals are probably the most important that he has achieved with Bayern so far.

The football record champion from Munich celebrated the first victory against Leverkusen’s master coach Xabi Alonso 87 days before the longed-for home final. It was also a great success for coach Vincent Kompany. Bayer acted in front of 75,000 spectators and had no chance.

Kane led the sharp and aggressive Bavaria in the 9th minute with a placed header onto the winning road. A rough mistake by Bayer goalkeeper Matej Kovar enabled Musiala Tor number two (54th). Kane increased in the 75th minute with his new season goal in the premier class from a penalty point to 3: 0.

The guests in the Allianz Arena were outnumbered after the yellow-red card for Nordi Mukiele (62nd) in the fourth Saisond duel. Without going into detail, a noticeably eaten granite Xhaka saw the sticking point in the dismissal and also spoke of two bitter goals. With a view of the second leg, he said: “Believe it until the end. Give everything for another 90 minutes.”

Alonso’s tactic tricks did not work for the first time on Wednesday evening. The Bavarians were more aggressive and more determined. The strengths of the guests with the almost ineffective offensive star Florian Wirtz did not come into its own without center forward Patrik Schick, who was only on the bench for a long time. In the second leg next Tuesday in Leverkusen, a miracle. Then goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could be missing from Bayern, who had to get off the pitch in the 58th minute.

It looked like it happened when cheering, coach Vincent Kompany later described the serious scene. Newly reached the calf and then had to be replaced against U21 national goalkeeper Jonas Urbig (21). “It is something muscular,” said sports director Max Eberl about new ones and referred to the upcoming examinations.

Another little injury should be reported: after a duel with Jeremie Frimpong, Bayern defender Minjae Kim remained on the lawn. After a good 180 seconds, the Bavarian attacker fell on the left foot of the South Korean, which was able to continue after a short treatment.

Bayer coach Xabi Alonso once again avoided a real center forward. Patrik Schick initially sat on the bench, next to Frimpong, Amine Adli formed the forefront, right behind Florian Wirtz, which was speculated about the future immediately before the kick -off. When asked whether Bayern’s sports director Eberl had already officially called him because of Wirtz, Leverkusen’s sports manager Simon Rolfes replied: “No, no, no.”

Both of them didn’t want to talk too much about the topic, on the square the players should let the players speak. And above all, Bayern, which had failed in the round of 16 in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup on the Alonso team in the round of 16 at the beginning of December (0-1).

After a fine flank by Michael Olise, Kane balanced the ball into the goal of the guests. Kompany balled the fists on the sidelines, ex-boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß applauded with a smile in the stands.

For Kane it was also a goal with personal meaning: he was directly involved in the Champions League in 47 goals at the time – 37 goals and 10 templates. He was equated with Wayne Rooney. According to data provider Opta, only David Beckham posted more scorer points in the premier class (52) among all English.

This time the Bavarians did everything right against the Werkself. Kimmich, who had last had to pause in the Bundesliga, clearly dominated the midfield together with Leon Goretzka, Musiala was also much better in the game before the eyes of national coach Julian Nagelsmann and DFB sports director Rudi Völler, who also had to be treated shortly before the break. After a sharp corner of Kimmich, Musiala almost succeeded in 2-0 with header, but the ball crashed into the crossbar (22nd).

The Leverkuseners could be happy to go into the break with just one goal. Mukiele in particular was an uncertainty factor in the Bayer defensive. In the attack, they came practically only once really dangerous in the Bayern goal. With a reflex, ex-world champion Manuel Neuer saved the ball in his 150th Champions League game against Frimpong (14th), the Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano.

In the ranks, it became quiet due to an emergency doctor after the break. On the square it continued with high intensity and also a good dose of toxicity and dominant Bavaria. After a cross from Kimmich, Musiala dusted off. Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Kovar had dropped the ball before.

But the joy was clouded immediately. Suddenly Neuer sat on the ground and had to be treated. He tried it, shook his head and had to get out. From the cold, Jonas Urbig had to go into the goal – only at the end of January did Bavarians get the 21 -year -old from the 1st FC Köln from the second division.

Good for Bayer? The Werkself damaged itself. After a kick, Mukiele, who had previously been warned, got yellow-red in the hoe from Kingsley Coman. Alonso’s expression has gripped grossly. Especially when Kane was held in the penalty area by the shortly beforehand, so that there was a penalty according to video evidence.

And the Englishman did not let himself be asked for long and shot the ball into the corner. Even a demonstration of power in an evening that could not have run better for Bavaria, while the replaced Wirtz was frustrated and cursed in front of the face.

Note: This article has been updated with reactions after the game.