[ad_1]
With Bayern Munich’s season teetering on the brink of disaster it was “Kaiser Kane” who scored the goals that set them on their way to a precious Champions League victory over Lazio.
They chanted Harry Kane’s name over and over again at the Allianz Arena, the English hero saving the German giants’ season from imploding. The England captain who simply cannot stop scoring, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker who embarked on a foreign adventure some were seemingly desperate to see fail in its first campaign. Bayern, though, must now be considered dark horses in this competition, especially when you consider manager Thomas Tuchel’s Champions League record.
Bayern have had plenty of problems this season but Kane has never been one of them. He has kept his end of the bargain agreed when he signed for £80 million back in August and Bayern may yet keep theirs as they moved into the quarter-finals in impressive style.
They got there because of Kane. The 30-year-old had been quiet as half-time approached. Heavily outnumbered by Italian defenders in and outside the penalty area, he strolled around and rarely touched the ball. The one noteworthy moment was a shot from the edge of the area that was deflected narrowly wide.
But the England centre-forward is a predator, a master of his craft, always waiting for the moment to strike. It came seven minutes before the break. Kane was initially flat footed, as a deep cross made its way towards the touchline and appeared to be going out of play. Thomas Müller, the veteran German international, did not give up, leaping and stretching to not only keep it in play, but to head it back into the danger zone. Kane was on the move, the reflex muscles twitched and he darted forward, anticipating something, even if he did not know what.
Raphael Guerreiro was off balance and scuffed his shot, but Kane was there; he was ready, the ball bouncing perfectly into his eyeline for him to dive forward and nod it home, the goalkeeper unable to prevent his 50th goal in European competitions.
The Allianz Arena roared its relief and its acclaim. They had fallen in love with Kane long before this. It was Kane’s 32nd goal in the 33rd game of yet another prolific season for one of the world’s best strikers and he would make it 33 in the second half with another poacher’s effort, tapping in after Leroy Sané’s shot had been saved. Kane doing what he has done best his entire career, being in the right place at the right time.
“It’s a perfect night for us,” said Kane. “This was a big moment in our season. It was a top performance. My first goal was just about getting into the box. We’ve been talking about it all week. In the second goal, I took my time finishing with my left foot – it was nice to see how it worked.
“I’m enjoying every minute of it (at Bayern). It’s been a tough season. The expectation is really high, but this is where I want to be, performing on nights like tonight in the knockout stages and giving my all for the fans. The reception since I arrived has been amazing and I just want to repay them with every game.”
Asked whether Bayern could make it to the final at Wembley, Kane said: “That’s the aim, of course we have to see who we get in the quarter-final now. It’s going to be tough, every year in the Champions League is tough, but hopefully we can use this as a change in our season.”
Most importantly for Kane, the victory ensured his first season in Bavaria still has a chance of ending with a trophy. After more than a decade of futile pursuits of silverware at Tottenham Hotspur – he would not have been playing in Europe at all this term if he had not made the summer move – this is why he moved to Bayern Munich. A club widely regarded as one of the safest destinations in Europe for any player wanting to win things. At least until this disappointing, chaotic season under manager Tuchel.
Bayern’s 11-year reign as German champions appears to be coming to an end with Bayer Leverkusen, managed by the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern midfielder, Xabi Alonso, 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
It has caused uproar in Munich and having lost the first leg in Rome 1-0, Bayern were in desperate need of Champions League redemption. And it was Kane who got them on their way, Bayern scoring a second before half-time through Müller to put them ahead on aggregate.
That settled everyone in Munich down, with another Englishman and former Spurs star, Eric Dier, also impressing in the centre of defence, where he made one superb clearance in the first half with the scores level. He has been of far more value than – as some people joked in January when he arrived – someone to keep Kane company in Munich.
Bayern Munich vs Lazio: As it happened . . .
10:46 PM GMT
Kane on the crucial win
It’s a perfect evening for us. It was a big game.
We were 1-0 down in the first leg. It’s obviously a big moment in our season. It was a top performance.
Of course we know we have to improve, but nights like this can really change the season. I’m really proud of the boys and we just have to keep this momentum going.
10:34 PM GMT
PSG also joined Bayern in the quarter-finals
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as they swept aside Real Sociedad 4-1 on aggregate.
10:29 PM GMT
An amusing moment between Kane and our very own columnist
10:22 PM GMT
Kane takes a selfie with his man of the match award
10:08 PM GMT
Rio Ferdinand speaking about Kane
This is the true mark of a great goal scorer, they don’t have to be in the game all the time, they have to be in the right place at the right time.
This is what Harry Kane has done all his career and that’s why he has scored so many goals.
10:05 PM GMT
A record Kane will surely break before long…
27 – Harry Kane has scored 27 UEFA Champions League goals, with Wayne Rooney the only Englishman with more in the competition (30). Marksman. pic.twitter.com/UOTHa4hNN9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 5, 2024
09:54 PM GMT
FT: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
Good enough from Bayern Munich, who reach the quarter-finals and avoid their season derailing at the start of March. They were not terribly impressive early on, but once Kane and Muller scored late in the first half they never looked like surrendering the advantage. Lazio looked a well-coached team, but lacked potency in attack.
Bayern are not one of the two or three fancied teams to win the Champions League, but are not too far behind and remain dangerous. A big night for Kane to score twice in a home knockout game.
09:51 PM GMT
92 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
Bayern keeping the ball with ease now. They have grown stronger as the game has progressed and some of the confidence has come back. The players will be relieved to have got over this hump.
09:49 PM GMT
90 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
Bayern are making another couple of changes: Gnabry is on as well as Laimer. Musiala is withdrawn. There will be four minutes of added time to play.
09:47 PM GMT
88 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
Lazio’s substitutes have had very little effect on the game, that’s one department where the gulf between the clubs is obvious.
Tottenham fans will enjoy seeing Kane track Guendouzi all the way to the corner flag to win the ball back.
Then Cataldi catches Kane late, and is shown a yellow card.
09:43 PM GMT
84 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
It would be quite Tuchel were he to win another European Cup while barely disguising his distain for his players and the general situation at the club. Lazio look to have given up the ghost, Bayern keeping the ball much better now.
09:38 PM GMT
80 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
Tuchel has made a couple of changes, with Thomas Muller one of the players coming off. His movement is still as sharp as ever around the penalty box and he gets a great reception. He is replaced by the youngster Tel. Guerreiro also off, replaced by Davies. Romagnoli has been booked for leaving a bit on Kane in the air.
09:36 PM GMT
76 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
Lazio still plugging away and they have a free-kick near the left-hand corner of Bayern’s penalty area. When the ball is delivered though, the referee blows for a foul against Lazio. Bayern getting closer to the finish line.
09:31 PM GMT
73 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
A bit of confidence returning to Bayern’s play now. Musiala, one of the bright spots this season, with a smooth turn through midfield and he found the run of Muller. His touch took him a little wide and his shot on the stretch struck the near post.
Down the other end, Luis Alberto unleashes a shot that was heading on target but deflected wide. You sense that Lazio chance needed to go in.
09:29 PM GMT
70 minutes: Bayern Munich 3 Lazio 0 (3-1, agg)
Lazio now look a bit disheartened and Bayern are cruising through to the quarter-finals. I think they will have to play better to progress further but worse teams than this have reached Champions League finals. And with Kane on the pitch they are never far from a goal.
09:25 PM GMT
GOOAAALL! Kane on the spot for his second of the night (3-1, agg)
Sane has been poor, but he did enough to test the goalkeeper with a shot across the goalkeeper, and Provedel could only palm the ball into Kane’s path who had the easiest of tap-ins. Kane’s 33rd of the season and surely game over now.
09:24 PM GMT
64 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
Switches of play to the full-backs Kimmich and Guerreiro have been a feature of Bayern’s play tonight. It has been the one pattern of play you can easily identify.
09:22 PM GMT
63 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
You cannot say Lazio really look like scoring but they are still plugging away and moving the ball well through the thirds. They are just lacking a player of stature up top. If Lazio had Kane they might well be winning tonight, but as Del Boy would put it that’s epidemic.
09:19 PM GMT
61 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
Lovely play from Kane, finding space in midfield and spreading play left to Guerreiro whose cross-cum-shot flew wide of the far post. Nice feet from Anderson to win a foul for Lazio and Sarri is making a triple sub
Cataldi, Isaksen and Castellanos on for Vecino, Zaccagni and Immobile. The veteran striker Immoble took a knock at the start of the second half.
09:16 PM GMT
58 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
Lazio with a good spell of possession in the Bayern half but the German side are in shape and have most of their team behind the ball. Lazio have looked at their most dangerous when they have the chance to counter-attack.
09:13 PM GMT
55 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
Kimmich lifts a cross in from the right which is not far from Kane’s head, before Musiala whips a shot not far wide of the post from distance. It actually took a flick off Guendouzi for a Bayern corner, which the former Arsenal man did well to head clear.
09:11 PM GMT
52 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
Lazio are still battling, and have look a well-organised team tonight.
Then there are loud appeals for a Lazio penalty! The ball was crossed in for Immobile to strike with a hooked volley, and it looked as if De Ligt may have caught him late. Replays show the striker kicked through ball to the defender more than anything else. Good decision by the referee.
09:08 PM GMT
49 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
From that free-kick from the left, Bayern headed clear thanks to Goretzka. Then the Lazio goalkeeper Provedel mis-cues a pass forward and Bayern are able to establish possession again
.
09:07 PM GMT
47 minutes: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
Bayern trying to move up the pitch in more measured fashion, keeping the ball over small distances so they are less exposed if the ball is lost. Despite their goals, Bayern continued to look rather easy to play against. Lazio win a free-kick for a foul by Kimmich on Zaccagni.
09:04 PM GMT
We are back under way in the second half
Bayern get us going in the second 45 minutes. They way this Bayern side are set up, I’d say attack is the best form of defence.
09:03 PM GMT
Kane celebrates his first Champions League goal in five years
08:52 PM GMT
HT: Bayern Munich 2 Lazio 0 (2-1, agg)
Harry Kane continues to keep up his end of the bargain. After a sticky start for Bayern, his poacher’s goal lifted some of the gloom before Muller’s goal on the stroke of half-time put Bayern in front on aggregate. Lazio have done a lot of things right, but I doubt they have the firepower to retrieve this. Bayern should see it through.
08:49 PM GMT
GOOOAAALL! Muller glances home De Ligt’s volley
Lazio at one end believed they should have had a corner, and they were right, but from the corner Bayern won at the other end they have taken the lead in the tie. The delivery looped over to De Ligt at the back post who unleashed a fierce volley across goal. At first look it seemed the defender had scored a quite magnificent goal, but Thomas Muller got the last touch with glancing header. Bayern lead 2-1 on aggregate.
Bayern have turned it ON 🔥
Matthijs de Ligt with a sensational volley but it’s Thomas Müller who claims the goal with a header!#UCL pic.twitter.com/QZV1SikAis
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 5, 2024
08:45 PM GMT
44 minutes: Bayern Munich 1 Lazio 0 (1-1, agg)
Lazio are still in this tie, there is space for them to play through this Bayern midfield, but despite much good work they look pretty blunt up top. Nuer comes out of his box and slices his clearance out for a Lazio throw-in. The ball comes into the mixer but De Ligt helps Bayern head clear.
08:42 PM GMT
41 minutes: Bayern Munich 1 Lazio 0 (1-1, agg)
Bayern really should be ahead soon after Kane’s goal, with Musiala poking wide when he looked certain to score.
Then there is space for Lazio to break into but Guendouzi’s cross was poor when he had bodies in support.
Bayern have not been especially impressive but you would back them to go on and do the job from here.
08:40 PM GMT
GOOOOAAAALL! Harry Kane has popped up and levelled the tie
Bayern have huffed and puffed but they are level on aggregate. Muller made a clever run in behind to head a diagonal back into the danger zone, and Guerreiro’s scuffed shot skewed into Kane’s path and he directed a flicked header home. Provedel got a hand to it but could not keep it out.
08:38 PM GMT
37 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Sane is having a bit of a stinker so far, another pass of his drifts aimlessly behind for a goal kick.
Then Lazio go up the other end and really should be ahead! A cross from the left flicked off De Ligt’s head, and Immobile was free as a bird at the back post but headed wide. Maybe the deflection confused him, but he should have directed that on target.
What a let off for Bayern.
08:35 PM GMT
34 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
We’ve all seen the ball hit a referee before, but never quite like this. Sane passed the ball inside and the referee Slavko Vincic was at a safe distance, but slipped, almost did the splits, and intercepted the ball. He immediately put his hands up for what was obviously a freak accident, but Thomas Tuchel turned away in disgust.
Bayern were given the ball back and moments later Dier glanced a header over the bar.
08:32 PM GMT
31 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Bayern buy a cheap free-kick in a crossing position, Anderson aggrieved to be penalised, but Kimmich’s delivery was dreadful. There was a foul in the penalty area on a Lazio defender anyway.
08:28 PM GMT
28 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Guendouzi with nice pass crossfield but the Lazio attack breaks down on the left with Zaccagni. A few half-hearted appeals for a trip against De Ligt but never a serious suggestion of a penalty. Lazio continue to manage the game well.
08:25 PM GMT
25 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Lazio have been well controlled but they are putting their bodies on the line when required. First Sane had a shot blocked in the penalty area before the ball ran for Guerreiro to strike, only for Murasic to throw himself in front of it. Fantastic from the right-back, and then goalkeeper Provedel claims a cross cleanly.
08:24 PM GMT
23 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Lazio’s number five Vecino is very recognisable as the Jorginho type in this Sarri team. Given their league results, Lazio’s technical security and smoothness in possession has been a pleasant surprise. Almost as if they enjoy the extra space afforded against a more expansive opponent.
08:21 PM GMT
20 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Lucy Ward on TNT with a good diagnosis of some of Bayern’s issues against the counter-attack: they are using Goretzka in a back three to cover for two attacking full-backs, and it is leaving space around his midfield team-mate Pavlovic. Sane then misplaces a square pass and there are some groans from the crowd, before Kane makes a foul.
08:18 PM GMT
17 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Better from Bayern, and Kane has had his first sight of goal. First Guerreiro overlapped after a nice combination down the left and his low cross was cleared. Then Kane found space to shoot from 20 yards or so, very central, and his effort flicked off Gila and wide of the post. Lazio deal with the corner and resulting pressure, but they were a little more stretched.
08:15 PM GMT
14 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Bayern’s forwards are a long way forward and their defenders are a long way back, which is a recipe for a basketball game.
Kane has had a quiet-ish start but a forward pass of his flicks off a Lazio ankle and goes for a corner.
The corner was taken short and well worked, and Musiala let fly from an inside left position. Clean hit on his left foot but the goalkeeper Provedel was there to beat it away. A shot you’d expected him to save. Sane then takes on a silly shot and slashes it over.
08:12 PM GMT
11 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Zaccagni is holding the width for Lazio down their left, and is a real outlet for them up against Kimmich, who is really a central midfielder in profile. Lazio are showing no fear on the ball, and win first a free-kick through Guendouzi and then a corner. Mulle helps Bayern clear, before Dier is forced to clear on the stretch after an inventive chipped pass into the box.
08:09 PM GMT
8 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Lazio looking threatening again, Anderson and Guendouzi combining down the right and feeding a ball into the penalty area.
Sane then drags Bayern forward down the right by skipping through a couple of challenges, and he tees up Musiala for a shot, but Lazio defender Marusic came across and made a magnificent defensive block.
Bayern playing at a frantic pace, and it feels like that could go one of two ways.
08:06 PM GMT
6 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Lazio have been quite positive in possession so far, looking to play forward quickly when they win it back.
Space opened up in front of the Bayern penalty area there, and Guendouzi dragged a shot wide from 20 yards or so out. Should have made a cleaner connection really, had time to steady himself.
Then Bayern sweep forward, finding Muller in a No 10-type position, and fed Sane but his shot was fairly tame.
08:04 PM GMT
4 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
It looks like Goretzka is dropping to the left of Dier and De Ligt when Bayern have the ball, making a back three. Guerreiro pushing on from left-back, allowing Musiala to move inside from a nominal starting position on the wing.
Another Kimmich cross comes in but it is well cleared by a Lazio head.
08:02 PM GMT
2 minutes: Bayern Munich 0 Lazio 0 (0-1, agg)
Lazio go long from kick off and the ball runs for a Bayern goal kick, with the home team quickly establishing possession.
Kimmich stands a cross up from a dangerous spot down the right, but Lazio get it clear and then string together a decent counter of their own. Dier gets back to sweep up. Lively enough start.
08:00 PM GMT
KICK OFF!
The two former Chelsea managers – you’re never more than six feet away from one apparently – have a hug before the game, before Lazio get the game started.
07:57 PM GMT
The players are in the tunnel
Bayern need a fast start to settle nerves and make sure the fans do not get restless.
07:46 PM GMT
Bayern’s Musiala in impressive company
30 – The youngest players in #UCL history on their 30th appearance:
Cesc Fàbregas – 20 y 6 m 23 d
Roque Santa Cruz – 20 y 7 m 3 d
Iker Casillas – 20 y 9 m 20 d
Kylian Mbappé – 20 y 11 m 21 d
🆕Jamal Musiala – 21 y 0 m 8 dDiamonds. #FCBLAZ @FCBayernEN
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 5, 2024
07:35 PM GMT
Harry Kane out for the warm up
07:11 PM GMT
Is Thomas Tuchel under pressure?
That seems to be the question on everyone’s lips. Given that he is off in the summer regardless, I’d say that takes some pressure off. The bigger question is how his confirmed departure affects his authority in the dressing room. You’d hope Bayern’s players are experienced enough to manage standards themselves.
Tuchel has certainly been bold in his selection tonight: leaving out big summer defensive signing Kim Min-jae in favour of Eric Dier, the January stopgap.
07:01 PM GMT
Maurizio Sarri on what is required of Lazio
We are aware of how difficult it is going to be, which ought to give us that spirit of sacrifice. Nothing is impossible in football, this must give us courage. We must be fired up and angry.
Bayern Munich are a top-quality team and they can score goals easily. Thinking we could just sit there and defend for 100 minutes is a bad idea, we’ve got to have the courage to push forward.
06:57 PM GMT
Bayern Munich team news: Eric Dier in starting XI alongside Kane
06:53 PM GMT
Lazio team news: Guendouzi and Felipe Anderson feature
Big news for fans of the 2018-19 Premier League season.
06:48 PM GMT
Thomas Tuchel on Bayern’s task tonight
I think the situation for us is very clear but for a top performance there needs to be a certain pressure.
Our most recent results, including the first leg loss in Italy, mean that this won’t feel super-easy tomorrow. Pressure is necessary. It will be there tomorrow.”
We need to win by two goals against an Italian team, a Maurizio Sarri team. The bar is high.
06:43 PM GMT
Best betting sites
Having a bet on today’s match? First take a look at the offers on these best betting sites.
06:31 PM GMT
Champions League might be Bayern and Kane’s best route to silverware
With Bayern Munich trailing Bayer Leverkusen by 10 points with 10 games remaining in the Bundesliga, the Champions League could well be their and Harry Kane’s most likely route to silverware this season.
Given their league form and the fact Thomas Tuchel is a lame duck on his way out of the club this summer, winning their seventh European Cup does not feel particularly likely. But this is a knockout cup competition, and Bayern still boast an impressive level of individual quality.
First of all they need to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Lazio at the Allianz Arena tonight, a scoreline which would have been far more slippery in the days of the away goals rule. As it is, Bayern can attack with abandon and back their firepower to blow the Italian team off the pitch. Despite losing in Rome, Bayern remain strong favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
The prospect of a trophyless first season in Germany for Kane has caused a fair amount of mirth, even if he is enjoying an outstanding individual season. Kane has scored 31 goals in all competitions, the most of any player in Europe’s major leagues, ranking his debut season at Bayern as one of the great campaigns produced by an English player abroad. There would be a certain amount of symmetry were Kane to lift the European Cup at Wembley, and there is also the prospect of meeting Manchester City or Arsenal along the way.
Maurizio Sarri has Lazio playing his distinctive style of football, but in truth they are having a distinctly average Serie A season in ninth. That is more or less where they expected goals data said they should be, so really Bayern should be sweeping them aside. There is just enough uncertainty around Bayern to make that a doubt, however.
Full team news on the way soon.