Looking back on that February evening in Rome three years ago brings a twinkle to the eyes of Jamal Musiala. A good first touch and a clinical finish into the left corner from 16 metres - a moment that the FC Bayern attacker will always remember. It was in the round of 16 first leg of the 2020/21 Champions League season at Lazio that the then 17-year-old was brought into the starting line-up and put in an impressive performance. His goal to make it 2-0 in a 4-1 win was also one for the history books.
"It was a really cool game for me, I enjoyed it a lot and managed to score my first Champions League goal," recalls the now 20-year-old in an interview with fcbayern.com. "It was a knockout match, certainly one of the most important I'd played in up to that point." Musiala's strike against Lazio made him Bayern's youngest goalscorer in Europe's premier club competition, which he still is.
Looking forward to special atmosphere
It's no surprise, therefore, that FCB's No.42 is excited about facing the Italians again. "Champions League matches are always special," says Musiala. And after the last-16 tie three years ago took place in front of empty stands in Rome due to the pandemic, Bayern's attacking magician is now excited about the lion's den of the legendary Stadio Olimpico: "I'm very much looking forward to the atmosphere and have heard a lot about it already. We had away games with a very unique atmosphere in the group, too. These are the games you particularly look forward to."
Jamal Musiala scored his first Champions League goal at the Stadio Olimpico - without spectators. Now he's looking forward to the atmosphere at the famous old stadium.
One of his former mentors could give Musiala a few tips about the atmosphere at the Olimpico. Miroslav Klose played for Lazio between 2011 and 2016. Later the former world-class striker guided the talented youngster along his first steps in Munich, and now Musiala (149 Bayern appearances, 38 goals) could draw level with his former coach (150 games, 53 goals) in Rome.
"Miro was my first coach at Bayern," tells Musiala. "Then when I was integrated into the first team, he was also there as assistant coach. I frequently practised my finishing with him and got a lot of useful feedback from him. I learned a lot from him in that time. We're still in touch from time to time now," he reveals. He left it open as to whether he would contact Klose again before the clash with his former club.
Strong on European travels
The Munich men proved in impressive fashion in the group stage that they can cope with intimidating atmospheres in European away outings. As is almost customary now, Thomas Tuchel's side secured first place in the group, winning all three matches on the road - in Copenhagen, Istanbul and Manchester.
Jamal Musiala and FC Bayern celebrated three away wins in the group stage, including at Galatasaray.
Now Musiala and the team have to take that dominance from the group stage into the knockout rounds. "Our focus must be at 100 percent in every game, and then we want to go as far as possible," declares the attacker.
Creativity called for
In Lazio, Bayern are up against a side who are particularly strong when it comes to defensive solidity. The Biancocelesti's most frequent scoreline this season has been 1-0, so how do you break down that defensive wall? "We need to trust in our processes, get into one-v-one situations, look for one-twos," explains Musiala. "When the other team are defending deep, there aren't that many simple solutions, so we have to be creative. It'll be important for our energy level to be at the maximum." If they do that, there's no reason it can't be another special February evening for Bayern in Rome with Musiala in a leading role.
The facts on Bayern's round of 16 first leg at Lazio:
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