In a surprising turn of events, Lazio managed to secure a 1-0 victory over the highly-regarded Bayern Munich in their Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash. The winning moment came in the 69th minute when Ciro Immobile successfully converted a penalty kick, capitalizing on a clumsy challenge by Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano on Gustav Isaksen. The French defender was promptly shown a straight red card for his actions.
Throughout the match, Lazio exhibited exceptional discipline, stifling Bayern Munich’s attacks. The German side, on the other hand, appeared toothless, failing to register a single shot on target. This marks the first time since February 2019 that Bayern has failed to record at least one shot on goal in a competitive match, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Despite firing off 17 shots, they were unable to test the Lazio goalkeeper. Such a feat has not been seen in a UEFA Champions League game since the 2010-11 season.
Bayern Munich, the favorites going into the game, were desperately seeking redemption following their disheartening 3-0 Bundesliga loss to league leaders Bayer Leverkusen. With a five-point deficit at the top, their confidence was on the line. However, the defeat against Lazio has only intensified the pressure on coach Thomas Tuchel and his team, as this marks their second consecutive loss. Furthermore, Bayern has failed to find the back of the net in their last two matches.
Tuchel acknowledged the team’s subpar performance, stating, “We started well, had a chance in the first minute, and then with Harry Kane and then with Jamal Musiala. We had the game under control in the first half.” He continued, “But in the second, our performance dropped inexplicably. We made too many individual errors, made our opponents stronger, and we lost concentration. We lost our rhythm.” Tuchel admitted that the loss was completely their responsibility and expressed his disappointment in letting a winnable game slip through their fingers.
Despite the mounting pressure, Tuchel does not seem to be overly concerned about his future with Bayern Munich. When asked if he is worried about his position, the coach confidently replied, “No, I am not.” While his response may offer a sense of reassurance, it remains to be seen whether the team’s recent string of poor performances will have any long-term implications for Tuchel and his coaching tenure.
From the outset, Bayern Munich displayed an aggressive approach, continuously pressing Lazio high and creating early goal-scoring opportunities for Joshua Kimmich and Harry Kane. Unfortunately for Bayern, both chances narrowly missed the target. As the game progressed, the Italians grew more resilient in defense, frustrating Bayern’s attempts to break through their disciplined backline. The tempo of the match gradually diminished, leaving Bayern struggling to find their rhythm.
Although Lazio emerged victorious, they too had their fair share of missed opportunities. Luis Alberto, in an attempt to put his team ahead, unleashed a powerful shot that ultimately flew wide of Manuel Neuer’s goal. Lazio’s best chance to take the lead came shortly after the restart when Isaksen found himself one-on-one with Neuer. The Danish player failed to make the most of the opportunity, as Neuer stood his ground and blocked the shot. However, their break came when Immobile passed to Isaksen in the box, resulting in the penalty that ultimately secured Lazio’s win.
Ciro Immobile, the hero of the match, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We worked and prepared for this match to have a say in it. I was convinced that the team would put everything out there.” Lazio’s victory demonstrated their determination and ability to hold their ground against the formidable Bayern Munich. As the teams prepare for the second leg in Munich on March 5th, Bayern will undoubtedly be eager to turn the tables and redeem themselves. However, Lazio will enter the match with newfound confidence, knowing that they are capable of challenging one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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