Bayern fans can breathe a sigh of relief: FC Bayern Munich reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a committed performance against Lazio Rome. After the 0-1 first leg defeat last week, Bayern won 3-0 (2-0) on Tuesday evening (05.03.24) and thus secured their place in the next round.
The team of coach Thomas Tuchel, who left at the end of the season, rewarded themselves for their committed appearance from the start of the game, but had to wait until deep into the first half before at least the first leg defeat was equalized. Harry Kane put the hosts 1-0 ahead (39′). In the 45th + 2nd In the minute, Thomas Müller increased the score from a similar center forward position – also with a header.
After the break, Bayern appeared to be experienced and offered the Romans, who were generally rather unimaginative, no starting points for developing scoring chances. Instead, in the 66th minute, 19-year-old Aleksandar Pavlović in the six position provided the impetus for Bayern’s third goal, in which Kane dusted off a blocked Sané shot.
With this success, before which well-known Roman supporters were arrested in the Hofbräuhaus for right-wing radical chants and shouts, Bayern gained some calm in their stormy times surrounding the almost lost championship and the impending change of coach.
New one sets record
“It’s a perfect evening. It was a big game. We were 1-0 down after the first leg, that was a big moment in our season. We put in a top performance“Scorer Kane said on Prime Video and added with regard to the situation surrounding Tuchel: “It’s unusual. We have our responsibility as players in every game, in every competition. We can still improve.”
With his 57th “clean slate” in the premier class, captain Manuel Neuer also equaled the record set by Spanish legend Iker Casillas, and for his Bayern the victory was literally worth its weight in gold: UEFA awarded a bonus of another 10.6 million euros , Bavaria already has a total of over 100 million.
Eberl sports director: Tuchel will remain coach until the end of the season
Bayern Munich’s new sports director Max Eberl expressed his confidence in coach Thomas Tuchel before kick-off, even in the event of elimination. When asked whether Tuchel, whose departure has been decided at the end of the season, will remain coach of the ailing record champions even if he leaves, Eberl said on Amazon Prime: “Yes. There is no other opinion on it at the moment.”
Munich with Kimmich, Sané and Müller, without Kim
Tuchel had the German record winner in the Champions League line up with Leroy Sané for Mathys Tel on the right and Mathijs de Ligt for Minjae Kim in central defense. Joshua Kimmich defended at the back right, Thomas Müller started the attack centrally behind Harry Kane. Dayot Upamecano, who took the penalty that resulted in the defeat in the first leg, was still suspended.
Bayern, who were under a lot of pressure due to the possible elimination and the simultaneous threat of a titleless season, began the second leg very committed, concentrated and determined. But Leroy Sané from the half-right position (6th), Jamal Musiala (8th) from the penalty spot and Kane (17th) each failed. But Bayern kept the pressure on – the first goal didn’t want to come, even with a double chance from Musiala and Raphael Guerreiro (24th).
And – as always when top-class opportunities are missed – suddenly the opponent was there and almost scored. Mathijs De Ligt extended a cross from the “Laziali” from the left side and used it perfectly to serve Ciro Immobile, who headed just past the Bayern goal with a flying shot from close range.
Kane redeems Bayern
In the 39th minute, finally the reward, a goal of will: Thomas Müller headed in from the right for “worker” Raphael Guerreiro, whose Harry Kane, who dived into the cross with a lightning reflex and, with a bit of luck, passed the ball headed into the goal past Lazio keeper Provedel. Bayern stayed on the trigger. Shortly before the break, the very good Guerreiro won a corner. Mathijs de Ligt’s cross from the left side, which was first blocked, hit the Roman goal from the right back area. Müller held out his skull at the right moment and deflected the ball into the goal.
In the middle of the second period, Pavlović crowned his excellent performance as a midfield engine. His pass to Müller reached Sané, who fired powerfully from half-right. Provedel could only deflect the shot forward, where Kane gratefully converted.
Draw on March 15th, quarterfinals in April
What’s next for Bayern? The draw for the quarter-finals of the premier class will take place on March 15th. The first legs will take place on the 9th/10th. April, the second legs on the 16th/17th. held in April. The 2024 final location is London on June 1st.