Kompany calls for focus after winning ‘most important game of the season’

Vincent Kompany insists his Bayern Munich side remain focused on finishing the job after running out comfortable 3-0 winners over their domestic rivals in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.

Harry Kane scored a twice – one from the penalty spot – either side of a Jamal Musiala strike as Kompany’s team took a significant step towards the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition.

For Leverkusen, it proved to be a torrid evening at the Allianz Arena for Xabi Alonso and co., compounded by Nordi Mukiele’s second-half red card as the German champions were left with a mountain to climb in the second leg next week.

1-0! Harry Kane does it on the big stage! 🏟️🔥

What about that cross from Olise too ❄️

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Bayern will perhaps be kicking themselves that they did not increase their advantage further after Palhinha missed a glorious chance to make it four deep into second-half stoppage time.

One other cause for concern on an otherwise pleasing evening for Kompany was the injury to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had to be replaced after suffering what is believed to be a calf strain while celebrating the second goal.

“We did a lot of things right, otherwise you can’t beat such a team,” the Bayern boss said after the game.

“We have to repeat what we did well today next week. It’s not the time for praise. Of course the guys can be happy, but we’ll switch our focus to Bochum and then to Tuesday.

“It’s only the first half, we remain totally focused on the second leg.

“It was the most important game of the season so far, but hopefully we’ll get more important games.

“We’re staying calm as we always did, and we’ve shown that we’re always ready”

Bayern travel to Leverkusen for the second leg on Tuesday, with the winners going on to play either Inter or Feyenoord in the quarter-final.

The Italian side take a 2-0 advantage into their second leg after a comfortable victory in Rotterdam.