Bayern are off to Italy to face Lazio in the Champions League round of 16 following Monday’s draw in Nyon. “We’re very happy we’re in the last 16. Italian opponents are always tough to play against. Lazio are a very experienced team, with lots of experience at European level. Our goal is obviously to progress to the next round,” said sporting director Christoph Freund. fcbayern.com has the lowdown on the Italians ahead of the two legs in February and March.
Second in Group E
The club from Rome reached the last 16 by finishing second in Group E behind Atletico Madrid after losing their decisive final encounter 2-0 in Spain. Regardless of that result, which was about who finished top, Lazio were already guaranteed their place in the knockout stage. They ended the group with 10 points from three wins, a draw and two defeats, ahead of Feyenoord (six points) and Celtic (four).
Ciro Immobile, who played for Borussia Dortmund in 2014/15, is Lazio’s captain and main goalscorer.
The Italians Eagles were impressive for much of last season, finishing second in Serie A on 74 points behind champions Napoli (90). However, Maurizio Sarri’s side are struggling more this year, sitting 11th in the domestic standings with 21 points from 16 games. As well as captain and striker Ciro Immobile, who once played for Borussia Dortmund, their squad consists of some other familiar names in Daichi Kamada (ex-Eintracht Frankfurt), Pedro (formerly of Barcelona and Chelsea) and Matteo Guendouzi (ex-Arsenal, Hertha Berlin and Marseille).
The experienced Maurizio Sarri has been in charge at Lazio since 2021.
Sarri is a vastly experienced coach, previously taking charge of the likes of Napoli (2015-18), Chelsea (2018-19) and Juventus (2019-20). The 64-year-old Italian has been at the helm at Lazio since the start of 2021/22.
Another last-16 encounter
Jamal Musiala made history with his goal in the 4-1 win over Lazio in February 2021. | © FC Bayern
Bayern and Lazio have only met twice before in the Champions League, with the then holders prevailing 4-1 in Rome and 2-1 back in Munich in the 2020/21 round of 16. Jamal Musiala made history in the first leg by becoming Bayern’s youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer at the time, just three days shy of his 18th birthday, when he made it 2-0. “We’ve got positive experiences of Lazio. We go into the games as favourites but can’t underestimate them. I have very positive memories of the stadium. The fans in Italy are always very loud,” said captain Manuel Neuer of the draw.
First legs in February
The Lazio team from their final group game away at Atletico Madrid.
The first leg at the Stadio Olimpico will be played on Wednesday, 14 February. The return fixture at the Allianz Arena is on Tuesday, 5 March (ticket information here).
Read up on the reaction to the draw:
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