Lazio took on Bayern Munich in Rome, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Uefa Champions League. They are in the knock out round for only the second time in their history and they know they are up for a huge test against Bayern Munich.
A terrible back pass to Reina was short and the goalkeeper couldn't get there. Lewandowski pounced on the loose ball, knock it off the goalkeeper and slotted home into the empty net. What a perfect gift for Bayern Munich in the 9th minute which opened the floodgates of what is to come. Musacchio would be beating himself up for giving away such a terrible pass. 1-0 to Bayern Munich, the first of many away goals to come.
The second goal of the night came when Goretzka found Musiala at the edge of the box and his low power drive beat the goalkeeper and found the back of the net in the 24th minute. What a moment for the 17-year-old. His right-footed strike was expertly taken and he repaid the faith of the manager in him on the night.
Lewandowski almost got his second and Bayern's 3rd in the 35th minute when Reina's poor clearance was gathered and the ball later found him. It was saved by the feet of Reina who must have breathed a sigh of relief. They have been sloppy at the back and Bayern Munich would always punish you.
Another mistake for Lazio in the 42nd minute when they failed to deal with a ball and Kingsley Coman sprinted clear. He ran the whole half length of the field and tried to cut in with Lewandowski waiting on the wings. He powered a shot which Reina spilt only for the arriving Leroy Sane to tapped it home. 3-0. Lazio looked uncoordinated on the night.
The rout was completed when Coman started another brilliant counter and his lovely long pass found Sane who ran into the opposition's box. He brilliantly tried to find Davies but Acerbi would only divert the ball into his own net in the 47th minute to make it 4-0. Lazio left exposed at the back there. Swift and brilliant play from Bayern Munich. They punished Lazio in every department.
Lazio tried to play for pride and get a consolation goal which was what Correa did in the 49th minute. After gathering a pass, he managed to manoeuvre his way into the box and managed to beat Neuer with a lovely cool finish to make it 4-1.
What has characterized Lazio's night happened again in the 79th minute when a poor clearance came to Robert Lewandowski. He brilliantly turned and unleashed a strike but Reina was on hand to save it. He started the move by the terrible clearance before another bad one from Hoedt found Lewandowski.
The game ended 1-4 on the night and they were well beaten right on home soil and they have it all to do in the second leg. Football is crazy and a lot can still happen in the second leg but on paper, this looked like the end of the road for Lazio as they would have to win by 4-0 to be able to progress from this round and if Bayern played as they did on the night with swift counter and speed, they would definitely score at home too.
Thank you for your time.
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