Lazio travelled to Bavaria with the feint hope of over turning their first leg three-goal deficit to qualify for the Quarter Finals of the Champions league but found German champions Bayern Munich too much over the course of two legs.
For the Biancocelesti, Simone Inzaghi called up Vedat Muriqi to replace talismanic striker Ciro Immobile up front. Adam Marušić replaced Patric at right sided center-back to add some more speed, with Manuel Lazzari moving to right wing. The final change was in central midfield with Gonzalo Escalante coming in for Lucas Leiva.
Home manager Hansi Flick also rotated his squad, taking the opportunity to rest some key players. Young German goalkeeper Alexander Nübel made his European debut in place of Manuel Neuer, David Alaba came into the back-line replacing Alphonso Davies and Leroy Sané started ahead of Kingsley Coman.
?⚪ Starting XI for #FCBLAZ ?#MiaSanMia #packmas #UCL pic.twitter.com/DkjfRbCKJu
— ???FC Bayern English??? (@FCBayernEN) March 17, 2021
The first 30 minutes passed without any real incident and Lazio struggled to create any chances to pull back a goal outside of a blocked Sergej Milinković-Savić that trickled through to the goalkeeper Nübel.
Bayern woke from their early malaise and all but secured their path to the next round through another goal for the rampant Robert Lewandowski.
From a corner, center-back for the night Marušić had a hold of German midfielder Leon Goretzka and pulled him down as the cross came over. The referee did not falter in pointing to the spot with Francesco Acerbi collecting a yellow card for his protest. Polish striker Lewandowski kept his composure and sent Reina the wrong way, collecting his 37th goal of the season and 5th in the Champions League.
That was the only real action of the first half as Lazio struggled to build up any real momentum on the hosts goal.
46’ | #BayernLazio 1-0
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) March 17, 2021
Riprende la gara: #Lulic ha preso il posto di #Fares, fuori Boateng e dentro Süle #UCL #CMonEagles ? pic.twitter.com/Ipgm9U0ZKE
The second half began much the same as the second, with Bayern seemingly content to keep the ball and keep their opponents at arms length. The first 30 mins of the second period was littered with a raft of substitutions killing any potential momentum.
Bayern though showed what they can do when in the mood and nearly added a lovely second goal. Substitute Serge Gnabry linked with with defender David Alaba with the latter laying on an opportunity for Lewandowksi about 20 yards from goal and the striker’s effort rebounded off the post with Pepe Reina completely beaten.
The second goal though did follow and it was scored by substitute Choupo-Moting. The striker broke the offside trap after being fed by David Alaba and as Reina rushed out to meet the forward, he cleverly lifted his effort over him and into the net to make it 6-1 on aggregate.
Lazio somehow found a goal towards the end of the game. Marco Parolo – a replacement for the injured Lazzari – got on the end of an inswinging Joaquin Correa cross to give the Italian side a scant consolation in terms of the overall tie.
The side from Rome travel to Udinese on Sunday afternoon as they continue their push for European football next year whilst Bayern Munich play host to Stuttgart.
MATCH REPORT
March 17, 2021 – Champions League 2020-21 Round of 16
BAYERN MUNICH-LAZIO 2-1 (Bayern Munich advance 6-2 on aggregate)
SCORERS: 33′ Lewandowski (B, pen.), 73′ Choupo-Moting (B), 82′ Parolo (L)
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BAYERN MUNICH (4-2-3-1): Nübel; Pavard, Boateng (46′ Süle), Hernandez, Alaba; Kimmich (77′ Martinez), Goretzka (64′ Davies); Gnabry, Müller (71′ Musiala), Sané; Lewandowski (71′ Choupo-Moting) (Neuer, Coman, Dantas, Roca, Sarr) Coach: Flick |
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LAZIO (3-5-2): Reina; Marusic, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari (57′ Parolo), Milinkovic Savic, Escalante (82′ Akpa Akpro), Luis Alberto (75′ Cataldi), Fares (46′ Lulic); Correa, Muriqi (Strakosha, Alia, Musacchio, Patric, Hoedt, Leiva, Caicedo, Immobile) Coach: S. Inzaghi |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Goretzka (B), Radu, Acerbi, Milinkovic-Savic, Correa (L); Extra Time: First Half 1′, Second Half 4′