Lazio vs Bayern Munich Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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THE FACTS
When is Lazio vs Bayern Munich on and what time does it start? Lazio vs Bayern Munich will take place on Wednesday 14th February, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lazio vs Bayern Munich? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Lazio vs Bayern Munich on in the UK? Lazio vs Bayern Munich will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Lazio vs Bayern Munich in the UK? Lazio vs Bayern Munich can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LAZIO
Lazio may be struggling domestically, but the success of their campaign so far has been dictated around the Champions League, where they have successfully advanced through to the round of 16 after finishing second-place in Group E. Although it was an inconsistent six games for Lazio, winning three, drawing one and losing two, ten points was than enough for Maurizio Sarri’s side to qualify and set up this two-legged clash.
The Italians come into this game on the back of a morale-boosting 1-3 triumph away at Cagliari in Serie A, which saw star striker Ciro Immobile get on the scoresheet. The 33-year-old already boasts three goals in Europe this season and plenty rests on his shoulders from a Lazio point of view when considering his penchant for goals in the Champions League.
BAYERN MUNICH
Averaging two goals conceded per game across their last three Bundesliga fixtures and following a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of title rivals Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich are somewhat of a wounded animal travelling to Italy. Some might say that this now represents their best chance of winning a major trophy this year, although the Bundesliga title race is still far from over. Either way, the ‘Rekordmeister’ cannot afford a slip-up with head coach Thomas Tuchel under heavy pressure.
Bayern topped Group A with 16 points from a possible 18, winning five games, scoring 12 goals and conceding six. This included a pair of victories over Man Utd, although they were denied a 100% record in the group stage by FC Copenhagen, who held them to a 0-0 draw in Munich. Harry Kane has starred in his debut season for the club, recording four goals and three assists across the competition so far.
THE TEAM NEWS
LAZIO
Although he wouldn’t have been expected to play for Lazio here with Ivan Provedel their first-choice between the sticks, 17-year-old goalkeeper Davide Renzetti won’t be involved due to him serving a one-match suspension following his sending off in a UEFA Youth League game against Atletico Madrid last December. Midfielder Mattia Zaccagni is doubtful due to a toe injury, whilst ‘Patric’ is nursing a shoulder problem.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Romagnoli, Gila, Hysaj; Guendouzi, Vecino, Alberto; Isaksen, Immobile, Anderson
UNAVAILABLE: Renzetti (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Patric (Injured), Zaccagni (Injured)
BAYERN MUNICH
After the gamble of switching to a back three failed against Bayer Leverkusen, Tuchel will surely revert back to a 4-2-3-1 formation for this game. After coming off the bench on Saturday, expect captain Joshua Kimmich to make his return to the starting line-up alongside Leon Goretzka in midfield. Attacking midfielders Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are out, as is the versatile Konrad Laimer. The match is likely to come too soon for left-back Alphonso Davies.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Mazraoui, Kim, Upamecano, Guerreiro; Goretzka, Kimmich; Musiala, Muller, Sane; Kane
UNAVAILABLE: Peretz (Injured), Sarr (Injured), Laimer (Injured), Coman (Injured), Gnabry (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Davies (Injured), Zaragoza (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- The only previous UEFA club competitions matches between Lazio and Bayern Munich Munich were in the 2020/21 Champions League round of 16, with Bayern Munich winning 4-1 in Rome and 2-1 in Munich.
- Lazio have lost only one of their last 12 UEFA club competition matches at home (W6 D5).
- Lazio have won only one of their last seven UEFA club competition matches against German teams (D1 L5).
- Lazio have kept nine clean sheets in their last 11 home matches in all competitions.
- Bayern Munich have lost only one of their last 17 UEFA Champions League matches (W13 D3).
- Bayern Munich have won ten and drawn two of their last 12 UEFA club competition matches against Italian teams. Since a 3-2 home defeat against Inter in March 2011 (UCL R16 2nd leg).
- Bayern Munich have lost only one of their last 20 matches in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 (W14 D5). The sole defeat was at home vs Liverpool in February 2019 (L 3-1)
- Bayern Munich have not lost in the first leg in their last 11 UEFA Champions League round of 16 ties (W7 D4). Their last defeat in the first leg in the R16 was in February 2012 away from home against Basel (L 1-0)
- Bayern Munich have scored two or more goals in each of their last 11 UEFA club competition matches against Italian teams.
THE PREDICTION
Lazio will fancy their chances here, when taking into account Bayern Munich’s defensive fragilities under Tuchel. However, this Bayern side are well-suited to playing away from home in Europe and three wins from three on the road across the group stage attest to that. Expect Lazio to create opportunities for themselves, but Bayern to enjoy the lion’s share of play and with the likes of Kane, Muller and Sane spearheading the attack, all proven Champions League performers, it’s well worth backing Bayern Munich to come out on top in Rome.
TIP: BAYERN MUNICH TO WIN
