‘Job's only half done’ - Bayern urge caution after resounding win over Leverkusen

João Palhinha pulled his jersey over his head in frustration, Joshua Kimmich swore and furiously threw his arms in the air. In front of the dugout, Vincent Kompany sank into a deep crouch and clapped his hands over his head in dismay. Had we not witnessed Bayern's best performance of the season in the previous 90 minutes, we really would have assumed that Palhinha's drive off the crossbar when he was one-on-one with Leverkusen keeper Kovar in stoppage time would have plunged them all into utter misery.

But there was no need for disappointment. On the contrary: a free-flowing, highly determined FC Bayern were 3-0 up against Bayer 04 Leverkusen and, what's more, the record champions were on the final staight of the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against the reigning domestic champions and cup winners. With each successive goal, any doubts they might have had after six games without a win against Bayer 04 were increasingly dispelled and vanished into thin air.

No time for any self-praise

"The first half is done, but we still have a second game in Leverkusen," cautioned Kompany later. Of course, the 3-0 (1-0) win against the visitors, who had no chance on the night and looked completely intimidated, puts FCB in a promising position for the second leg next Tuesday. But: "It's important that we're just as focused in the next game," said the FC Bayern head coach: "We did a lot of things well today and that's exactly what we have to do again next week - so there's no time for any self-praise."

Harry Kane also put the brakes on the euphoria that had already swelled high into the Bavarian night sky above Fröttmaning among many fans after a near-perfect evening against Leverkusen, who have been in terrific form of late: "It's a really big step in the right direction. We all know that we've struggled against Leverkusen lately," said the brace scorer: "Half the job is done, but it’ll be decided next week. We need to approach that with the same mindset as today."

Body language was one key factor

This body language, this charisma shown by FC Bayern was one of the key factors on a magical night of European football at the Allianz Arena. You could feel the team's focus, aggression and absolute determination at all times, right up to the upper tier of the Allianz Arena, where the larger-than-life Beckenbauer jersey looked resplendent under the stadium roof for the first time. The determination was matched up there by the tremendous energy that the crowd had ignited. It seemed as if the Südkurve in particular, where the most loyal of the loyal stand, lifted the team onto their shoulders and carried them through this huge game: Even louder, even more euphoric, more powerful, more immense than usual, the fans truly gave their FC Bayern wings. "We have incredible fans and they helped us a lot today," said defender Dayot Upamecano on behalf of the whole team.

The force that reverberated from the stands back onto the pitch made a huge impression and really got to the visitors. Even the more experienced of them, such as Jonathan Tah, had to admit: "Overall, Bayern were more intense in the tackles, were more alert and aggressive," said the Germany defender.

Only nine minutes into the game, FC Bayern had not only scored a fine first goal of the evening, they had literally willed it: Michael Olise crossed from the right, Harry Kane came darting in and his well-placed header was on target to put the Reds 1-0 up. "Details" had been the deciding factor in all the encounters so far, including this one, Kompany later analysed. Jonathan Tah also spoke of the "little things" that make the difference in the Champions League. One such crucial difference was made on 13 minutes by Manuel Neuer, who made a lightning-fast reflex save following the only moment of carelessness in the Bayern defence in this Champions League thriller when Frimpong popped up in front of him.

"We were better than our opponents in the tackles today and played aggressively going forward," said Upamecano: "It was a very, very good game from us." Leverkusen ended the game with just three shots on goal - fewer than any other team in Europe's premier club competition this season.

From a minus sign to a plus sign

Leverkusen had to give themselves another shake after just 22 minutes, when Jamal Musiala's header from a corner kick crashed against the crossbar. While Leverkusen had controlled, dominated and at times painfully dissected FC Bayern in a 0-0 draw at the BayArena in the league a few weeks ago, all the signs had now been reversed - as if a minus sign had been turned into a plus sign in maths. "A lot went against us today - but that was our own fault," admitted Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso, following his first defeat in his seventh competitive match against FC Bayern. "We made big mistakes, especially in the second half, so Bayern now hold the better cards."

First, Bayer goalkeeper Matej Kovar let a somewhat harmless cross from Kimmich slip through his hands and Musiala pounced to make it 2-0 (55‘), then the unfortunate Nordi Mukiele stepped on Kingsley Coman's heel and was consequently shown a second yellow card (62’). Now down to ten men, the rucksack full of bricks that Leverkusen felt they had been carrying on their backs in the Allianz Arena became even heavier. Simultaneously, having an extra man fuelled FC Bayern's joy in the game, as they combined to deliver a final uppercut to a visibly battered and reeling Leverkusen side. This momentous blow came after Tapsoba clamped both arms around Harry Kane in the penalty area, bringing him to the ground, and English referee Michael Oliver pointed to the penalty spot. Kane converted with his usual confidence and impressive precision to make it 3-0 (75').

And in the meantime, FC Bayern had even suffered a setback: Five-time IFFHS world’s best goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to come off injured straight after the second goal, and Jonas Urbig - only signed in January from Bundesliga 2 side 1. FC Köln - replaced him, making a flawless debut.

"The goals - especially the last two - and the red card were very unfortunate," said a disappointed Jonathan Tah. His head coach reminded everyone of the most important basic virtue in football, to get up and come back even after painful defeats: "It's only over when it's really over," said Xabi Alonso. According to the coach, a miracle will now be needed in the second leg. However, against an FC Bayern side with the determination and form of Wednesday night, it's safe to assume that even miracles won't do much good.