(Football news) The German champions have advanced to the quarterfinals for three consecutive years and are finally vying for a seventh European title, while the Serie A team is on the verge of making its first quarterfinal appearance in twenty years.
Bayern Munich may have anticipated a smooth transition to the later stages of the Champions League after an autumn stroll through Group A, where they finished atop the standings by eight points, but they suffered a significant setback at Stadio Olimpico, losing 1-0.
The pivotal moment occurred halfway through the second half of a tightly contested match when Lazio captain Ciro Immobile coolly converted from the penalty after Dayot Upamecano was sent off.
Soon after, it was announced that Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is destined to depart Bavaria in the summer, as his reign lurches towards a potentially messy conclusion.
Tuchel took Paris Saint-Germain to the 2020 Champions League final and guided Chelsea to the main prize one year later, but his time in Munich has not run so smoothly: Die Roten trail Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 10 points and have won just one of their last five matches following Friday’s 2-2 draw at Freiburg.
Notable for the quality of its goals, including two stunners from Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel, that thrilling encounter in the Black Forest further dented hopes of defending the title and left the door open for Leverkusen to extend their advantage.
As Bayern have already exited the DFB-Pokal and lost the DFL-Supercup to Leipzig, the prospect of a trophyless season looms large. With silverware seen as a requirement from each and every season, the pressure is therefore on the six-time European champions to defy dwindling odds and become kings of the continent once again.
The German giants have previously progressed from all but one of their last dozen ties at this stage of the Champions League, and are also unbeaten in 13 home matches in the competition, of which they have won 10.
However, history suggests staging a second-leg comeback may not be so straightforward: Bayern have been eliminated from each of their last seven Champions League ties when losing the first leg.
Once again in the knockout stages of the Champions League following an exciting trip through Group E, which included an improbable late equaliser by Ivan Provedel against Atletico Madrid, Lazio is now ninety minutes, or maybe even a little more, away from reaching the quarterfinals.
With Immobile’s penalty giving them the advantage going into Bavaria, Maurizio Sarri’s team clinched the Rome club’s third appearance in the later stages of the match.
In 2000 and 2021, Lazio lost to Valencia and Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League after reaching this stage both times. Bayern defeated Biancocelesti in both of their previous-16 matchups three years ago, but now Biancocelesti supporters have the chance to upset a top-tier European team.
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