Bayern's sights on quarter-final spot and Champions League record

The excitement is building, it's time for Europe's premier club competition again! FC Bayern host Lazio at the Allianz Arena for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday evening (live text and Webradio commentary from 21:00 CET on fcbayern.com). After the 4-1 first leg win in Rome, the men from Munich have an excellent chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, Bayern are absolutely focused on getting the job done. "There's a lot that can happen. Lazio are a strong team with very good players. Every one of us here is highly motivated and intends to pick up where we left off in the last game," said Bayern winger Leroy Sané at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. The Reds are also on the brink of setting a new record. Check out our preview for everything you need to know about the match.

On Tuesday, Bayern made their final preparations for the clash with Lazio. Here are the best images:

The situation for FC Bayern

Thanks to the very impressive and extremely confident performance at the Stadio Olimpico at the end of February, Bayern have one foot firmly in the door to the quarter-finals. The stats also clearly favour the Reds: So far, no team in the history of Europe's most important club competition has failed to qualify for the next round of a knockout tie having won the reverse fixture away from home by a three-goal margin. Moreover, the men from Munich could set a new record: If they make it to the quarter-finals, it would be their 19th appearance in the last eight of the Champions League. This would make FCB the sole record holders in the Champions League. Bayern can also equal a club record: As long as Robert Lewandowski and Co. don't lose, it'll be their 19th straight CL match without defeat. The record champions have only managed that once before, between March 2001 and April 2002.

The opponents: Lazio

Lazio will be making their first ever appearance at the Allianz Arena. The Italians managed to make it to the knockout stage of the Champions League again after a 21-year wait. "The game will be very difficult. But we will go to Munich to give everything and win," said Lazio midfielder Gonzalo Escalante. The main focus for the team from the eternal city will be on top scorer Ciro Immobile, who has scored five goals in five games in the current CL campaign. One of FCB's old acquaintances, Pepe Reina will be in goal for the White and Sky Blues - the Spaniard was part of the Bayern squad in the 2014/15 season. Lazio are currently lying seventh in Serie A, four points behind the European places.. 

Last Friday, Lazio warmed up for the match in Munich with a win:

Team news for FC Bayern vs. Lazio

Captain Manuel Neuer and Kingsley Coman are doubtful for the clash against Lazio. "Manu has a bit of a cold and Kingsley has muscular problems. We hope that both will be back on board tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see," said head coach Hansi Flick at the press conference. David Alaba, who missed the Bundesliga match in Bremen on Saturday due to muscular problems, was able to train again on Tuesday. Bayern will still be without Corentin Tolisso (ruptured tendon), Tanguy Nianzou (rehabilitative training following a torn thigh muscle) and Douglas Costa (hairline fracture of the right metatarsal).

What the coaches say

Hansi Flick: "We want to win this game too. We’re on a good run and of course we want to extend it. Especially at home it’s important that we increase our confidence in our own strengths with a win. We have to put in a good performance because Lazio are a team who can play very good football and they know how to score goals as well. So, from that perspective we have to be on our guard and in the game right from the word go."

Simone Inzaghi (Lazio coach): "We've worked a lot over the years to play games like this and we'll go to Munich to give our best. Against the world and European champions, we'll need to be aggressive and determined, and be willing to put in the legwork."

Team news, tactics and more: You can watch the pre-match press conference with Hansi Flick and Leroy Sané ahead of the Lazio clash (with English translation) here:

The referee: István Kovács

István Kovács from Romania will take charge of Wednesday's match. The 36-year-old referee has so far officiated in one match involving the German record champions, when he was in charge for the Reds' 2-1 away win at Lokomotiv Moscow in the group stage this season. Kovács will be assisted by Vasile Florin Marinescu and Ovidiu Artene, and the video assistant will be Pawel Gil from Poland.

If you want to know more about the game against Lazio check out our facts and stats: