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Kane scores two as stylish Bayern beat Lazio

Sports Desk | banglanews24.com
Update: 2024-03-06 10:02:47
Kane scores two as stylish Bayern beat Lazio photo collected

Harry Kane scored two to help Bayern Munich overturn a first-leg deficit against Lazio and advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Rome, Bayern looked set for a frustrating night until Kane's header levelled the scores on aggregate.

Long-serving Thomas Muller doubled the lead on the night with another header.

Kane made it 3-1 on aggregate from close range after Leroy Sane's shot was parried into his path.

It was an impressive turnaround by Bayern and Kane is hoping the result can help change Bayern's fortunes after a bitterly disappointing domestic campaign

"It's a perfect evening for us. It was a big game," he said.

"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.

"It was a really important moment in our season. Everyone was looking at us, looking at how we were going to respond after the first leg.

"Hopefully we can use this as a turning point for the rest of the season."

Thomas Tuchel's side were facing a first season without a major trophy since 2011-12.

However, this win keeps alive Tuchel's hopes of delivering Bayern a seventh European title before the former Chelsea boss leaves at the end of the season.

The quarter-final draw takes place on 15 March.

With 101 days to go before the start of Euro 2024, England captain Kane produced a priceless double to keep his side's season alive.

He had already been denied by Lazio keeper Ivan Provedel when he pounced in the 38th minute after a clever move involving Raphael Guerreiro and Muller.

His 50th goal in European competition lifted the mood inside the Allianz Arena and was followed in first-half injury time by Muller's glancing header after a rasping volley from Matthijs de Ligt.

Kane's second sealed an impressive win before Muller hit the post late on.

The former Tottenham player now has 33 Bundesliga and Champions League goals since moving to Germany for an initial £86.4m plus add-ons.

"As a striker, you're judged on goals and assists, in big matches especially, in knockout stages like tonight," added Kane.

"To be able to help the team is confidence-building for me, confidence for the team.

"I'm just going to keep trying to do what I'm doing. It's been a good season so far for me in terms of goals, but as a team, we know we can do better."

Lazio were crestfallen at the final whistle.

The Italian club had arrived in Germany looking to cause a major upset but wasted a great chance to make it 2-0 on aggregate when Ciro Immobile headed wide shortly before Kane's first goal.

Bayern have struggled under Tuchel this season after sweeping to 11 successive Bundesliga titles.

They trail leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 10 points with 10 games to go in the league and were knocked out of the German Cup by third division Saarbrucken.

This, however, was a rare night where Tuchel could afford to smile after a stylish win.

"Coming from the situation we were in, there was a lot resting on this game for us and I think we handled it really well," defender Eric Dier, who was making his first Champions League appearance for Bayern since joining in January, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"There's a long way to go in the season and, in the Champions League, anything is possible. We're excited for the next round, that was the objective for today."

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1002 HRS, MAR 06, 2024
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