Champions League, Round of 16, First Leg
Wednesday, December 14, 2024
Stadio Olimpico Rome
Lazio Bayern Munich 1-0
Massive surprise at the Olimpico as Lazio beat the mighty Bayern Munich with an Immobile penalty.
The team
At the last possible moment, Maurizio Sarri was forced to substitute Matias Vecino, injured, with Danilo Cataldi, hence the team was the same as the match against Cagliari. The main objective was to avoid crushing defeats like the last time the two teams clashed. Lazio lost 4-1 with ridiculous defensive mistakes.
Bayern are in a spot of bother after having lost 3-0 the previous weekend to Bayer Leverkusen, who now lead the Bundesliga with a five point lead over the Bavarians. There were even rumors of an upcoming sacking of the manager Thomas Tuchel.
First half
Lazio were a little timid in the first minutes and Bayern tried to take advantage. In the second minute, Leroy Sané from the right close to the byline, gave a marvellous assist to Joshua Kimmich, outside the box but dead centre with a gap for the shot. His attempt however went wide. In the 7th minute Jamal Musiala on the left passed to Sané who left the ball to Kimmich. Cross into the box towards the right for Thomas Muller, ball in the middle, Harry Kane anticipated Mario Gila but shot over the crossbar.
Despite this early pressure by the Germans, Lazio seemed in control of the match defensively. They were very tight, making it difficult for Bayern to find spaces. In the 22nd minute Cataldi to Luis Alberto who controlled the ball, avoided a defender, and tried a shot. A little high. In the 31st minute, freekick from a central position for Bayern just outside the penalty area. Sané shaved the left post. Nine minutes later, the best opportunity for the Bavarians. Dayot Upamecano to Sané who backheeled to Leon Goretzka. One- two with Muller, pass to Musiala who in front of Ivan Provedel sent the ball over the crossbar.
Towards the end of the first half, quick counter attack for Lazio. Matteo Guendouzi was faced with two choices: pass to Gustav Isaksen or Ciro Immobile. The Frenchman decided that the Dane was in a better position but Isaksen lost the moment for the shot and the defence cleared.
Second half
Lazio started the second 45 minutes much more convinced they could win the match. In the 48th minute Luis Alberto stole a ball off Upamecano, retreated slightly and sent a marvellous assist for Isaksen alone in front of Manuel Neuer. But the Dane again waited a second too long for the shot and once he did, Neuer saved.
In the 60th minute Elseid Hysaj needed to be substituted due to injury. In came Manuel Lazzari.
In the 66th minute, Felipe Anderson on the counter attack from just outside the Lazio penalty box. Three against two, the Brazilian had to choose who to pass the ball to: Immobile or Isaksen. Despite the fact that the Dane was in a better position, ball to Immobile. King Ciro dribbled past one defender, a second, a third, tried a shot but missed, the ball arrived to Isaksen who, while he was attempting a shot, was fouled by Upamecano with a studs-up challenge. Penalty for Lazio and red card for the Frenchman. The referee considered his foul to be dangerous and so it was a direct red. Immobile took the spotkick, Neuer dived to his right but far too early and it was an easy penalty for King Ciro. Lazio 1 Bayern 0.
A number of substitutions followed. Tuchel substituted Goretzka with Matthijs de Ligt and later sent on Eric Choupo-Moting and Mathys Tel for Muller and Sané. Sarri changed Isaksen, Immobile, Gila (injured) and Luis Alberto with Pedro, Taty Castellanos, Patric and Daichi Kamada.
The game ended with two chances for Lazio. In the 90th minute, Castellanos to Felipe Anderson all alone in front of Neuer. Instead of hitting it first time, he stopped it and was walled by Kim. In the second minute of injury time, Lazzari on the right, pass to Felipetto who could not control it but the ball arrived to Kamada. The Japanese gave an assist to Pedro who again waited that extra second too long (but perhaps there was no gap), and when he did shoot it went straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Fantastic and unexpected win for the Biancocelesti. It is going to be hell in Munich in three weeks time, but what a win!!!
Who played for Lazio
Provedel, Marusic, Gila (80' Patric), Romagnoli, Hysaj (60' Lazzari), Guendouzi, Vecino, Luis Alberto (80' Kamada), Isaksen (74' Pedro), Immobile (74' Castellanos), Felipe Anderson.
Substitutes: Sepe, Magro, Casale, Napolitano.
Manager: Sarri
Who played for Bayern
Neuer, Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro. Kimmich, Goretzka (73' de Ligt), Sané (81' Tel), Muller (81' Choupo-Moting), Musiala, Kane.
Substitutes: Ulreich, Schmitt, Dier, Zaragoza, Boey, Pavlovic.
Manager: Tuchel
Referee: Letexier (France)
Goal: 70’ Immobile (pen)
Booked: Kimmich (B)
Sent off: Upamecano (B)
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