On-song Reds down Lazio and secure first-leg lead

FC Bayern beat Lazio 4-1 on Tuesday night, achieving a more than promising position to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Robert Lewandowski, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman handed Bayern a comfortable lead before half-time, and after Lazio's Francesco Acerbi own-goal early in the second half, Joaquín Correa's consolation goal was little more than a footnote.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal, Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four, Joshua Kimmich, Musiala, Leroy Sané, Leon Goertzka and Kingsley Coman in midfield and Lewandowski up front. Javi Martínez, Lucas Hernández, Bouna Sarr and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting took over from Goretzka, Coman, Sané and Musiala in the second half.

Clinical Reds punish Lazio's mistakes

The world champions were dominant from the start, Davies seeing an effort blocked, but Bayern drew first blood when Lewandowski picked up a stray pass by Mateo Musacchio, rounded keeper Pepe Reina and tapped in. A Kimmich effort was blocked before Lazio's Patric fired wide, but the linesman's flag was up in any case. Neuer comfortably denied Luis Alberto, but Bayern soon doubled the advantage.

23 minutes had been played at Rome's Stadio Olimpico when Jamal Musiala celebrated his first Champions League goal. There were four stars on his jersey, and a new star was wearing it. Goretzka had just played in the youngster, who made no mistake from 20 yards and beat Reina three days before his 18th birthday.

A Ciro Immobile shot was blocked but Bayern had more salt to rub into Lazio's wounds. Coman charged down the left, cut inside and saw his effort denied, but Sané was on hand to mop up, slotting home from close range. Kimmich warmed Reina's gloves, and Munich were three goals up at half-time.

Cruise control

Bayern banished any last lingering doubts when Sané charged down the left, sidestepped a defender and squared, Acerbi putting through his own goal under pressure from Davies. The Italians pulled one back when Correa was played in 20 yards out, got into the box and beat Neuer.

Lazio were buoyed by their goal but failed to create any clear-cut chances, a Neuer save against Correa aside. Alaba fired a free-kick over the bar, and Bayern engaged cruise control now, but they were always a step quicker than their opponents, and Lewandowski tested Reina before match official Orel Grinfeeld blew for full-time.

Bayern will be back in action on Saturday, when they entertain Köln in the Bundesliga. FCB and Lazio will meet again in the second leg on 17 March.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen