In a surprising turn of events, Lazio secured a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash. The Italian hosts showcased a disciplined defensive display, stifling Bayern’s attacking prowess throughout the match. Bayern, on the other hand, failed to exhibit their usual dominance, struggling to create any significant goal-scoring opportunities. This unexpected defeat raises questions about Bayern’s performance and places added pressure on coach Thomas Tuchel and his team.
The only goal of the game came in the 69th minute when Ciro Immobile converted a penalty kick. The spot-kick was awarded after Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano made a clumsy challenge on Gustav Isaksen in the box, resulting in a straight red card for the French international. Immobile maintained his composure and confidently sent goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the wrong way, giving Lazio a crucial advantage heading into the second leg.
What made this defeat even more surprising was Bayern’s toothless attacking performance. The German side failed to register a single shot on target throughout the entire match, marking the first time since February 2019 that they have been unable to do so in a competitive fixture. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Bayern’s 17 shots were the most by a team that failed to record a shot on target in a UEFA Champions League game since the 2010-11 season.
The match started with Bayern pressing high and creating early chances for Joshua Kimmich and Harry Kane, both narrowly missing the target. However, as the game progressed, the tempo dropped, and Bayern struggled to break through Lazio’s disciplined defensive line. The Italians, who had suffered a heavy defeat against Bayern at the same stage three years ago, responded with a long-range effort from Luis Alberto that sailed wide of Neuer’s goal.
Jamal Musiala had an opportunity to break the deadlock for Bayern in the 40th minute but fired his shot over the bar from close range. Lazio also had their chances, with Isaksen coming close to scoring shortly after the restart. However, Neuer showed his class by making a crucial save to deny Isaksen.
The defeat against Lazio adds to Bayern’s recent slump in form, as they were coming off a 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Failing to score in their past two games and suffering back-to-back defeats, Bayern faces mounting pressure to turn their fortunes around. Coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged his team’s poor performance in the second half and took responsibility for the loss. However, he did not seem overly concerned about his future, remaining confident in his abilities to steer Bayern back on track.
Lazio’s victory against Bayern Munich has significantly amplified the anticipation and excitement for the second leg in Munich on March 5th. Bayern will be eager to overcome their recent setbacks and prove their credentials as reigning champions. At the same time, Lazio will be determined to build on their impressive defensive display and secure a spot in the quarter-finals. The stage is set for an enthralling encounter, where both teams will be vying for glory in their quest for European success.
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