Resolute Reds beat Lazio and progress to quarters

FC Bayern beat Lazio 2-1 on Wednesday night, advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals for the 19th time, a new record in Europe's elite club competition. Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot after 30 minutes, sub Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting doubling the lead midway through the second half before Marco Parolo pulled one back for Lazio in the closing stages.

The Bavarians started with Alexander Nübel in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka featured in a twin holding role behind Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry, with Lewandowski up front. Niklas Süle took over from Boateng at half-time, Alphonso Davies coming on for Goretzka before Jamal Musiala, Choupo-Moting and Javi Martínez replaced Müller, Lewandowski and Kimmich.

Lewy opens from the spot

The game meandered in the first half, with Lazio solid at the back and Bayern largely content to sit on their aggregate lead. Joaquín Correa fired wide and Sané miscued at the other end. Vedat Muriqi hauled down Goretzka in the box, Lewandowski expertly converting the ensuing penalty to hand Bayern the lead.

Bayern were dominant now but proved uninspired in attack, Lewandowski putting a free-kick into the wall, and match official István Kovács soon blew for half-time.

Choupo-Moting on target

Lewandowski saw two efforts blocked after the restart. The world's best player hit the post from 20 yards, but Alaba's perceptive through-ball soon found Choupo-Moting, who doubled the lead two minutes after coming on.

Andread Pereira whipped a free-kick into the box, Parolo beating Nübel from close range to score a consolation goal for the Italians. Lazio were buoyed by the goal and went looking for an equaliser but failed to create anything of attacking note. Sané shone with a pinpoint pass to Gnabry, but Lazio keeper Pepe Reina proved equal to his effort, and Bayern ran down the clock to claim the victory.

Bayern will be back in action in just three days, when they entertain Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. The German record champions will learn the identity of their next Champions League on Friday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen