Harry Kane said his two goals in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie were probably the most important so far for Bayern Munich.
Kane's ninth-minute header and second-half penalty put Bayern in control of the tie ahead of next week's return leg against the German champion, and on track for the quarterfinals.
The 31-year-old, who is still searching for a first team trophy in his career, did not win any silverware last season — his first at Bayern — but kept his team's dream alive of playing in the final in Munich in May.
Asked if the goals were his most important so far, Kane said: "Probably, I'd say so."
▲ Harry Kane fires in a penalty for Bayern Munich against Bundesliga rival Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Munich on Wednesday. AFP
"We knew what it was going to be going into this game. We knew the hype around this game, and we stayed calm — I stayed calm.
"It was nice to score quite early in the game, and then to get the second one to top it off — but, as always, I look forward to the next one."
Kane has 75 goals in 79 games in all competitions since joining Bayern from Spurs in the summer of 2023.
Coming into Wednesday's match, Bayern had not beaten Leverkusen since Xabi Alonso took charge there, drawing three and losing three.
"It was a really big step in the right direction. We've struggled against this side over the last couple of years, but, from the first minute, we brought focus and intensity," Kane told DAZN.
"They'll believe they can turn it around, and we have to go with the same mindset we had today and get through."
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was calm after the match, saying it was "only halftime", and that he would not enjoy the result until a quarterfinal spot was secure.
"This game was, until now, the most important game of our season," he said.
"On Tuesday, we go again and, then, I hope another important game will come along.
"We're staying calm and ready for what comes."
One gray cloud for the German giant was an injury to captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had to go off and was replaced by 21-year-old Bayern debutant Jonas Urbig.
Kompany said he was unsure whether Neuer would be available in the coming days, but backed his side's quality in all positions.
"It's a pity for us, but I've spoken before about our squad. When it's Urbig, then it's Urbig, and we won't think about it for a second," he told DAZN.
Self-inflicted errors
Leverkusen boss Alonso lamented his side's self-inflicted errors, saying it needed a "big miracle" to reach the quarterfinals.
In the 2005 Champions League final with Liverpool, Alonso helped the Reds come from 3-0 down against AC Milan, scoring the equalizing goal, before his side eventually won on penalties.
The match became known as the "Miracle of Istanbul", and Alonso suggested his side will need similar heroics if it is to have any chance of progressing to the final eight.
▲ Harry Kane celebrates scoring the opening goal for Bayern Munich in the first leg of its Champions League last-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. AP
"After this game, we'll need a bit of time, and, after we recover, in football we've seen big miracles quite often and we almost need one.
"It's football, it's not my first time, and there's another game at home."
