Since the start of the season, Bayern Munich seems to be moving on a tightrope, in a balancing act that was hitherto unknown to them. Second in its national championship, manhandled by the unsinkable Bayer Leverkusen, the German juggernaut first tasted similar treatment against Lazio Rome during the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (1-0 defeat), on 14 FEBRUARY.
A misstep on Roman soil from which former Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel (2018-2020) was able to get his troops out. They won with ease at home, Tuesday March 5, during the return match (3-0).
Enough to allow the Bavarian club to get their ticket to the quarter-finals of the “big ears cup”, at the same time as PSG, once again defeating Real Sociedad (2-1).
A clear success despite the absence of a usual member of the central hinge of Munich, the French international defender Dayot Upamecano, excluded from the first leg, and author of several worrying performances in recent weeks.
Twenty-four shots attempted
Stung in its pride by the hitch suffered three weeks earlier, Bayern started the match by opting for domination on all sides, allowing only a few Italian incursions into its area. On the other side of the field, his offensive armada rained down a deluge of strikes on Ivan Provedel’s cage.
A tough time, the Biancocelesti goalkeeper lost his breath in the 39the minute of play: the Roman having been caught on a whim by the captain of the English selection, Harry Kane, served by the former resident of FC Lorient Raphaël Guerreiro.
Once the first goal was conceded and the Allianz Arena stadium was unleashed, Lazio collapsed. The Italian rearguard, caught in a vice, could only endure a new Bavarian assault, concluded with a new helmet strike, this time at the initiative of veteran Thomas Müller (45e + 2).
With more than 24 shots attempted, Bayern Munich truly asphyxiated their opposite number, who, as a sign, then lost their captain, Ciro Immobile, to injury (61e), the scorer of the first round.
“A great moment of our season”
In control from the hour mark, the Munich team still wanted to ensure their lead. Harry Kane scored a double on an opportunistic ball (66e) facing an almost empty cage. Enough to seal the outcome of the game and restore color to the German team, which has shown mixed form since February.
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Having become the competition’s top scorer (tied with Kylian Mbappé, six goals), the captain of the Three Lions, Harry Kane, appeared relieved after the match: “It was a great night for us. A great moment in our season. »
And when the time came to talk about the group’s recent difficulties, starting with the announcement of the departure, at the end of the season, of coach Thomas Tuchel, the Englishman did not dodge: “It’s a bit strange, it’s unusualhe admitted. But we have a responsibility here, as players, to give our all in every game. »
Now assured of competing in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the Bavarians will however have to do more than their possible, having failed at this stage of the competition during the last three editions. Especially since they should come across a team of a completely different caliber than that of Lazio on their path.