FC Bayern is threatened with elimination from the Champions League after a 0-1 (0-0) draw at Lazio Rome. The unrest in Munich is getting bigger and bigger.
The stunned Thomas Tuchel quickly fled into the catacombs, his disappointed players trotting behind. The extremely insecure FC Bayern have taken their old worries with them to the “eternal city”, and their big dream of returning to Wembley is in danger of bursting prematurely. After the sobering 0-1 (0-0) at Lazio Rome, the Munich team has to fear their first round of 16 exit in the Champions League since 2019 – and coach Tuchel is seriously worried about his job.
In order to keep him, the coach should avoid elimination in the second leg on March 5th in Munich. However, the big goal of returning to London for the final on June 1st eleven years after the triumph at Wembley seems as far away as the Colosseum is from a modern football temple. After a defeat in the first leg, Bayern recently failed in the knockout phase seven times in a row.
“We have to take the lead in the first half. There was a reaction. We had three clear chances, we have to do those things,” said Thomas Müller on “DAZN”. The second half was “characterized by uncertainty again”: “It was a bit slapstick.”
Former Dortmund player Ciro Immobile (69th) hit the record champions in the heart with his penalty kick after the red card against Dayot Upamecano (67th, serious foul) on Valentine’s Day. Tuchel watched the gruesome events at times shaking his head and with his hands in front of his face.
Lazio’s plan against FC Bayern is working out completely
At the Stadio Olimpico, the infamous Lazio fans got in the mood for a big evening with a light show, disco fog and the Sinatra classic “My Way”. On the sidelines, a real eagle spread its mighty wings, the supporters encouraged their favorites with the choreo saying “Momento audere semper” (Remember to always have the courage) by the poet Gabriele d’Annunzio.
Tuchel, on the other hand, did not take any further tactical or formation risks: he corrected his mistakes from the failed league summit in Leverkusen (0:3) and switched to a back four.
In addition to Raphael Guerreiro, bosses Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Müller also joined the team. After a diagonal pass from the midfielder and Müller’s lay-off, Harry Kane had the first chance (7th).
Otherwise, Lazio’s plan worked completely: close the center, push Bayern outwards and steal the balls from them in the majority. They were usually gone quickly because the Munich team counter-pressed well. But they couldn’t think of anything to do with the ball; their game was unimaginative and often without spirit.
FC Bayern can’t think of anything – Upamecano receives a red card
Leroy Sané put a free kick just wide of the goal (32′), Müller argued with Jamala Musiala and Kane after misunderstandings. After the only quick combination of the first half through the middle, Musiala missed a free-standing shot (40′).
During the break, Kimmich received treatment on his ankle but was able to continue playing. After the break, captain Manuel Neuer made his big appearance when he parried strongly against Gustav Isaksen after Upamecano lost the ball (48th).
On the other hand, Bayern once again failed to showcase their star striker Kane. Many attacks were carried out too slowly and were easy for the eighth in Serie A to calculate. When “Upa” went in far too hard after Sane lost the ball against the strong Isaksen and struck Lazio icon Immobile, the Olimpico boiled over. Felipe Anderson missed the chance to make it 2-0 (89′).