Bayern Munich 2-1 (6-2 on agg.) Lazio
The line-up for the Champions League quarter-finals has been completed tonight and FC Bayern have booked their place with a comfortable victory over Lazio.
The Romans made a bright start, but when the deadly Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot, their chances were as good as over. Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made it 2-0 on the night before Marco Parolo headed a late consolation for Lazio as the Bavarians qualified for the last eight at a canter.
Bayern have strengthened their grip on the Bundesliga in recent weeks and they look in the mood to defend their European title too, particularly top scorer Lewandowski.
The latest Champions League 2021 betting odds place Hansi Flick’s side as clear second favourites behind Manchester City. Now that would be some final!
Highlights of the game
Lazio head coach Simone Inzaghi started with his top scorer Ciro Immobile on the bench, probably with one eye on the Biancoceleste’s Serie A campaign which is in danger of fizzling out. But his team opened up the brighter and Argentine midfielder Joaquin Correa came very close with a right-footed effort which whistled narrowly wide.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic had a shot blocked after Correa found him in space and then the big Serb had a header saved by Alexander Nubel.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Leroy Sane took a pass from Joshua Kimmich and fired a warning shot narrowly wide.
The Bavarians started this clash with one foot already in the quarter-final and the SBOTOP odds backed a second-leg win too. And the tie was as good as over when Die Bayern went ahead just after the half-hour mark.
Vedat Muriqi fouled Leon Goretzka and the referee pointed to the spot. Muriqi’s challenge was unnecessary and a soft penalty to give away. Francesco Acerbi complained too much for the referee’s liking and received a yellow card and, when the fuss died down, Lewandowski stepped up and slammed the spot-kick home.
You’d think the Germans would be happy with a four-goal lead, but not so as Lewandowski came out for the second half on the hunt for a second. First, he forced Pepe Reina into a fine save low to his right, and then, when he pulled the trigger from the centre of the box, his shot was charged down.
Midway through the second half, the lethal Pole thought he was about to notch his second when he took a pass from David Alaba, but his well-hit shot bounced back off the upright and away to safety.
Flick brought on Cameroon striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting with 20 minutes left but he only needed two to double the lead, latching on to a through ball from Alaba and stroking the ball home.
Lazio weren’t quite done and Marco Parolo headed home from close range as consolation for the Italians.
Key statistics
This was a controlled performance from the German champions, who dominated possession with 59 per cent and won the shot count by 11 to five, with three to two on target.
Bayern are very hard to beat in Munich; they are undefeated in 31 games at home and have now won five on the bounce in all competitions.
Parolo’s late header meant Lazio have scored in 34 of the last 36 games in all competitions, and the Italians can be pleased with that at least.
What’s next?
All eyes will be on the quarter-final draw on Friday, and we’ll be back with the latest Champions League 2021 updates just as soon as the fixtures are confirmed.
Then, the Bavarians will turn their attention back to domestic matters when they face eighth-placed Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, before heading to Leipzig the following week for a top-of-the-table clash with Red Bull.
Lazio are battling to stay in the top-four race in Serie A and they have two big games coming up over the next two weeks.
First, they travel to Udine to face Luca Gotti’s Udinese and that will be a stiff test; the Bianconeri are going well in tenth place and unbeaten in five.
The following week, Spezia are the visitors to Rome. The new boys have given themselves a great chance of extending their stay in the top flight, six points clear of the drop zone, but they are without a win in five.
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