Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Harry Kane leads Bayern Munich into CL quarter-finals with comeback win over Lazio

sportsmole.co.uk, 5 March 2024, 21:52
Bayern Munich have booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after coming back from a 1-0 first-leg deficit to beat Lazio 3-0 at the Allianz Arena this evening.

Late first-half goals from Harry Kane and Thomas Muller turned the tie on its head, just moments after the first-leg hero for Lazio Ciro Immobile had missed a golden chance at the other end for the Biancocelesti.

Kane added his second after the interval as Bayern cruised to a relatively comfortable victory in what was a high-pressure game for everybody involved at the club.

This is the first time in eight attempts that Bayern have progressed after losing the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie, but it is the third successive occasion in which they won a last 16 encounter despite trailing after the first leg.

It extends Bayern's fine run of making it past the last 16 for the 12th time in 13 seasons, and in doing so, they have made it seven wins in a row against Italian clubs at home.

Pressure will settle slightly on manager Thomas Tuchel for now, after coming into the game with just one win from their last five, but success in this competition is the only likely way this season can be salvaged for Bayern.

For Lazio, it extends their miserable run away in Germany in this competition, as it is now five trips without a win.

The defeat also means for just the second time in 14 previous European ties, Lazio have been eliminated despite winning the first leg.

Many expected Maurizio Sarri to shut up shop and park the bus in Bavaria this evening, but Lazio were expansive and adventurous in possession early on, committing many players forward whenever possible, and it was Matteo Guendouzi who had the first opening inside five minutes, but fired wide.

Bayern, as expected, were the dominant force in the opening stages, and Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Kane all had opportunities in the opening 15 minutes that went begging.

Lazio had to be brave in defence, and a double block from Mario Gila and Adam Marusic denied Musiala and Raphael Guerreiro in quick succession as tension grew around the Allianz.

Bayern coach Tuchel was visibly frustrated when referee Slavko Vincic slipped and inadvertently intercepted a Muller pass in the final third, with nothing as of yet going right for the hosts.

There was a huge let off for Bayern just moments later though, as Mattia Zaccagni's cross, which nicked off Matthijs de Ligt, found Immobile at the back post, but the 34-year-old was unable to steer his header on target despite being completely unmarked in the penalty area.

Tuchel's men took advantage almost instantly, as a fine move saw Muller knock a header down for Guerreiro, and even thought the left-back scuffed his effort, Kane was on hand to divert it goalwards, as the ball squirmed agonisingly underneath the body of Ivan Provedel in the Lazio goal.

Bayern ramped up the pressure following the opening goal, and shortly after Musiala saw his effort roll the wrong side of the post, the host did then take the lead in the tie.

After an outswinging corner found its way to De Ligt at the back post in acres of space, his acrobatic volley was nodded in by Muller inside the six-yard box in typical Muller fashion, with replays showing he had been kept onside by Felipe Anderson.

From there on, Lazio struggled to get a foothold in the game, and despite Sarri ringing the changes early in the second half, the game soon got away from the Biancocelesti.

Approaching the midway point of the second half, Sane was allowed to step inside and get a shot away, and after Provedel parried his effort out, the man on hand in the right place at the right time was Kane to net his second of the night, and put the game beyond the visitors once and for all.

Confidence grew within the Bavarian ranks, and they showed no mercy on the faltering Lazio backline, as a counter-attack allowed Musiala to feed Muller, whose effort cannoned off the post thanks to an important hand by Provedel.

There was collective gasp around the Allianz shortly after though, when Luis Alberto received possession in the area, and his strike took an important deflection off Musiala which prevented it from troubling Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal.

Bayern saw the game out very comfortably though as Lazio barely laid a glove on the six-time winners, who progressed 3-1 on aggregate, with Neuer not needing to make a save for the entire evening.

With the league title slipping away from Bayern, they face relegation candidates Mainz at the weekend, while Lazio must focus on an unlikely push for the top four when they host Udinese next Monday.

Top News

18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United's Mason Greenwood is now the subject of interest from a Champions League finalist ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly joined Premier League rivals Manchester United in the race to sign a highly-rated Championship head coach amid doubts over Mauricio Pochettino's future. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign a highly-rated Brazilian teenager for the summer of 2025. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Monday, Croatia Under-17s will kick off the European Under-17 Championship against Austria Under-17s at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tournament hosts Cyprus Under-17s will face Czech Republic Under-17s in Monday's European Under-17 Championship clash. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will once again be without the services of two key players for Sunday's La Liga clash against Villarreal. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that "the good times will come" for the Red Devils, with the Dutchman again hailing the club's fans for their support this season. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round nine of the Norwegian Eliteserien sees struggling Kristiansund hosting high-flying SK Brann at the Nordmore Stadium on Monday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk San Lorenzo can extend their winning run at Estadio Pedro Bidegain to three matches in all competitions when they host Lanus on Monday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and could activate a secret release clause of €70m (£60m) in his contract at Anfield. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia Under-17s will kick off the Under-17 European Championship in Monday's clash with Ukraine Under-17s in Paralimni. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has admitted that he has struggled to adapt to playing in the middle of the team's defence. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Monday, Denmark Under-17s will begin their European Under-17 Championship campaign against Wales Under-17s at the Dasaki Stadium in Achna, Cyprus. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to make it 10 La Liga wins in a row when they head to European-chasing Villarreal on Sunday night. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in Spain's top flight when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday evening. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica are reportedly unlikely to allow Manchester United-linked Joao Neves to leave the club during this summer's transfer window unless his full €100m (£86m) release clause is met. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bruno Fernandes is reportedly demanding a new and improved contract at Manchester United in order to commit his future to the club. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Eder Militao is in his thinking when it comes to a starting role for the Champions League final. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women have won their fifth successive Women's Super League title in Emma Hayes's final season in charge thanks to a 6-0 crushing of Manchester United Women at Old Trafford. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that "nothing has changed" regarding his future amid claims that he could leave the Catalan giants at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that "nothing has changed" regarding his future amid claims that he could leave the Catalan giants at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Italian giants AC Milan are reportedly optimistic of winning the race for a highly-rated Serie A striker also on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester United. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will be looking to secure a top-six finish and qualify for European competition when they welcome top-10 hopefuls Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge for their final Premier League game of the season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be crowned Premier League champions for a record fourth consecutive season if they beat West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in their final game of the 2023-24 season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to secure Europa Conference League football for next season, Manchester United travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion in their final Premier League game of the 2023-24 season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The day that all Liverpool fans dreaded is nearly upon us, as Jurgen Klopp takes charge of his last game for the Reds in Sunday's Premier League finale with Wolverhampton Wanderers. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still at risk of failing to qualify for next year's Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur head to Sheffield United's Bramall Lane base for their final Premier League match of the 2023-24 season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Knowing that whatever they do might not be enough for Premier League glory, Arsenal host Everton at the Emirates in Sunday afternoon's closing act. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion have announced that head coach Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club after their final Premier League match of the season against Manchester United on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal centre-back William Saliba could etch his name into the Gunners' record books when they conclude their Premier League season at home to Everton on Sunday afternoon.