Bayern Munich eased into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Atalanta, wrapping up the tie 10-2 on aggregate, their biggest winning margin in a European knockout tie since 2009.
Atalanta needed to score five just to force extra time, something no side had ever managed against Bayern in Europe, so the tie was never really a contest. The Germans dominated from the off, with Atalanta goalkeeper Sportiello kept busy early on. The opening goal came via a penalty after a VAR check spotted a handball by Scalvini. Sportiello actually saved Kane’s first effort, but had stepped off his line and the England captain made no mistake with the retake.
Atalanta had a chance to pull one back when De Ketelaere broke through on goal, but pressure from the Bayern defence forced him wide. Pasalic tested keeper Urbig before the break, but the second half was all Bayern. Kane added a stunning second, turning sharply on the edge of the box between two defenders before drilling the ball into the far top corner.
Lennart Karl made it three after being picked out by Luis Diaz on the right side of the box, and Diaz himself got in on the act moments later, cheekily chipping over Sportiello to make it ten across the two legs. Samardzic grabbed a late consolation for the visitors with a header, but it barely registered.
Bayern now face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, a genuinely mouth watering tie. For Atalanta, it is the end of the road in Europe, as the last Italian side standing in this season’s competition.
