Bayern Munich Overpowers Atalanta Thanks to Kane Goals Setting Up Real Madrid Showdown
Harry Kane netted once in each half as Bayern Munich crushed Atalanta 4-1 at home during the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, securing a 10-2 aggregate victory to advance to the quarter-finals against Real Madrid.
Leading Bayern in the Champions League for the first time, Kane slotted home a penalty after 25 minutes and followed up with another goal soon after the break, reaching a personal milestone of 50 Champions League goals in 66 appearances.
Lennart Karl and Luis Diaz also found the net for the home side as Bayern once more dominated the opponents, who managed a late reply through Lazar Samardzic.
"Whenever you hold a substantial lead like ours, it is tempting to ease off a touch," Kane, who sat out the initial match due to injury, remarked to DAZN.
"Yet we agreed beforehand to maintain the same approach as in the away leg. Matches like this can be tough to motivate for, but we showed intensity from the opening minute right through to the end."
Bayern previously met Real Madrid in the 2023-24 semi-finals, exiting after two stoppage-time strikes from Joselu. The German club has not defeated the Spanish powerhouse since the 2011-12 semi-finals.
After their commanding 6-1 triumph in Bergamo, where no side has ever recovered from a five-goal deficit, few expected anything other than progression for Bayern. However, the Bundesliga frontrunners had to field a depleted squad on Wednesday owing to various injuries and bans.
With Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer, and Alphonso Davies sidelined by knocks, alongside suspensions for Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise, Bayern gained a boost when backup keeper Jonas Urbig recovered from concussion and was passed fit.
Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino admitted before kick-off that his team were competing for national honour as the last remaining Serie A outfit in the tournament.
Atalanta's Defence Crumbles
The Italian side started with vigour, but their backline faltered around the midway point of the opening period when VAR spotted Giorgio Scalvini handling the ball nearby, awarding Bayern a penalty.
Kanes initial shot was parried, yet he received a retake since Marco Sportiello, the Atalanta goalkeeper, strayed off his line prematurely.
The England skipper made no mistake second time around, firing low into the bottom corner for his 15th penalty conversion across all competitions this term.
Urbig earned his keep just prior to the interval with a spectacular stop on a Mario Pasalic effort, ensuring Bayern led at half-time.
Returning to the starting lineup for the first time in over a month, Kane appeared in fine form and extended the advantage on 55 minutes, evading four markers before swivelling to rifle into the upper corner.
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany admitted he was baffled by Kanes exquisite finish, adding: "I am thrilled with his routine strikes, but this one stands out as exceptional.
"He has returned revitalised, and his value to the team is evident."
As Atalanta wobbled, Bayern pressed forward and added a third, with Diaz slipping the ball to Karl who swept it beyond the keeper into the far corner.
The young Bayern prospect, who German outlets suggest could earn a senior international debut on Thursday, returned the favour to Diaz with 20 minutes remaining, lofting a ball over the defence for the Colombian to delicately lob Sportiello.
Similar to their performance in Bergamo, Atalanta grabbed a consolation in the closing stages as Samardzic nodded in from close distance with five minutes to go.