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Red for Bayern's Dayot Upamecano - the key scene against Lazio
Photo:
Alberto Lingria / REUTERS
They are behind in the championship battle of the Bundesliga, have long since been eliminated from the DFB Cup and are now threatened with elimination in the Champions League. Bayern Munich lost the first leg of the round of 16 at Lazio Rome 0-1 (0-0). This also increases the pressure on Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.
Ciro Immobile led the eighth-placed team in the Italian Serie A to victory (69th minute). The ex-Dortmund player converted a penalty kick caused by Dayot Upamecano. Bayern's French central defender was shown a red card; when they were outnumbered, Bayern, who had clearly dominated until then, were no longer able to make a comeback. The second leg will take place on March 5th in Munich.
Coach Tuchel reacted to the 3-0 defeat against Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and called Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich and Raphaël Guerreiro into the starting line-up. The winter additions Eric Dier and Sacha Boey, among others, had to make way for this. One of the newcomers, Kimmich, had the first chance: the Bayern professional shot from a promising position after two minutes, but the ball went well past the goal.
What followed was a committed initial phase from Munich, in which Müller in particular repeatedly gave commands and coordinated his team's attacking pressure. Bayern dominated, stood secure defensively and at times pushed Lazio into their own half. However, there were no surprising ideas against an attentive opponent who left little space. Bayern's next chance came in the 32nd minute with a free kick: Leroy Sané narrowly missed the goal from around 20 meters.
Bayern's best scene of the first half came shortly before the break: The Munich team combined with quick passes into the penalty area to Jamal Musiala. However, he lost his footing when he shot and missed the lead from close range (40th minute).
The picture hardly changed in the second half. Bayern owned the game, but the offense simply couldn't get going, star striker Harry Kane didn't get enough balls, and it remained largely harmless. Even in the defeat in Leverkusen, the Munich attack had a difficult time.
Anyone who thought that the Italians were now tired was mistaken. In the 67th minute, Lazio suddenly attacked with three players on a counterattack; It was actually the home team's first dangerous outing. Gustav Isaksen fell in the penalty area after Upamecano accidentally stepped on his ankle with his open sole. The Frenchman saw the red card, Lazio got the penalty and Immobile safely converted it (69th). The game was turned on its head - and it remained 1-0 because even after the shock, the Munich team lacked any chances to score.
In the Bundesliga, FC Bayern continues on Sunday with the away game at VfL Bochum (5.30 p.m.). Munich are currently five points behind league leaders Leverkusen.
Jan