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Rome (dpa) - FC Bayern has once again demonstrated its true strength on Europe's big football stage.
The defending champion stormed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 4-1 (3-0) win at Lazio after the recent wobbles in everyday Bundesliga life.
On the eve of his 56th birthday in the Stadio Olimpico, coach Hansi Flick was able to look forward to several gifts from the faulty Romans, which led to the goals of Robert Lewandowski (9th minute), youngster Jamal Musiala (24th), Leroy Sané (42nd) and Formally invited Francesco Acerbi (47th / own gate).
The 1: 4 by Joaquin Correa (49th) was bearable for Flick at the end of a beautiful sunny day in Italy's capital.
The second leg of the round of 16 on March 17 in the Allianz Arena took away the explosiveness of the Munich team, unbeaten in the premier class for two years.
Flick's “basic trust” in the strength of his decimated team, which was twice negligent against Bielefeld (3: 3) and Frankfurt (1: 2), was confirmed.
Lewandowski and Co. run hot in the Champions League, the successful title defense is the big driver.
"We have to get into the game better and be there from the start," Flick had demanded.
And this time the success coach was not disappointed.
No stuttering start like last time in the league, instead Bayern were wide awake and focused in the first premier class game of the new year.
More dominant, more determined, faster - the Munich team acted as it should be for a Champions League winner.
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In addition, Flick was absolutely right with his decision to order super talent Jamal Musiala to the position of Thomas Müller, who is still missing due to a corona infection.
The youngster - recently criticized by the coach - justified his commitment with a strong performance and his first goal on the international stage.
At 17 years and 363 days, he is now the youngest Bayern goal scorer in the premier class, replacing Sammy Kuffour.
Off the field, too, Musiala was in the spotlight.
Flick indicated that Musiala may have already made a decision when it comes to the national team (Germany or England) - and the issue of contract extension has also been clarified.
The balance of power on the field was also quickly clarified.
With two advances by Niklas Süle (7th) and Joshua Kimmich (8th), Lazio was already on the highest alert, a minute later it happened.
However, a bad mistake by Mateo Musacchio helped Munich take the lead.
Lewandowski grabbed a far too short back pass, rounded ex-Bayern keeper Pepe Reina and scored his 72nd Champions League goal.
The Polish goalscorer left the former Schalke Raul (71) behind as the only third in the all-time goalscorer list.
The hosts had little to counter the force of the German record champions, who thanks to the duo Kimmich / Leon Goretzka had their old stability again.
The hope of a penalty after a tackle by Jérôme Boateng against Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was not fulfilled (20th).
Instead, Bayern struck again.
Staged by Goretzka, Musiala met from a distance.
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It was a one-sided affair in the Olympic Stadium, where the Munich team celebrated their highest Champions League victory in 2014 in a 7-1 win against AS Roma.
Also because the Romans, who were successful against Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the group stage, were almost self-destructive.
Musacchio was completely off the track and was released by coach Simone Inzaghi after half an hour.
That didn't change the many mistakes at Lazio, like in the 42nd minute when Kingsley Coman took advantage of a loss of the ball.
If Reina was able to parry the Frenchman's shot, he was powerless when Sané shot up.
Lewandowski also had another great chance (35th).
His counterpart on the other side, Ciro Immobile, was ineffective.
Anyone who thought the Italians would get better in the second round was mistaken.
After a lightning-fast counter-attack by Sané from his own half, Lazio defender Acerbi put the ball into the goal himself.
Shortly afterwards, the Munich team also distributed gifts at Joaquin Correa's goal.
Otherwise they could manage the comfortable lead until the end.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210223-99-565590 / 2
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