Three years after FC Bayern's only previous two meetings with Lazio, the two teams meet again in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday evening. The Munich men progressed comfortably on that occasion with a 6-2 aggregate win. Read the facts and figures on the game to find out why Thomas Tuchel's side are again favourites for this clash.
FCB strong starters in knockout stage recently
Will the Bavarians put themselves in a good position again? In the last 11 seasons, the German record champions have never lost a round of 16 first leg (W7 D4). Thanks also to that good start, they've gone through to the quarter-finals in 11 of their last 12 Champions League campaigns. Only against Liverpool in 2018/19 were they knocked out at this stage.
Bayern's run against Serie A sides
It's been a case of 'bella Italia' for FCB in recent years! The Reds have won each of their last five Champions League encounters with Italian opponents, including the two aforementioned meetings with Lazio. In fact, Bayern are unbeaten in 12 Champions League games against Serie A teams since a 3-2 loss at home to Inter Milan in March 2011 (W10 D2), and seven away from home (W5 D2). Lazio, on the other hand, have lost five of their last six encounters with German teams – the exception being a 3-1 victory over Dortmund at the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
Happy travels
Bayern's away outings in Europe are always worth the journey! The Reds have won seven of their last eight away matches in the Champions League, with their only defeat in this period being the 3-0 reverse at Manchester City in the quarter-finals in April 2023.
Kane delivering on European stage
No player has been directly involved in more goals in this season's Champions League than Harry Kane. Bayern's English frontman has registered four goals and three assists – only Bukayo Saka, Galeno and Jude Bellingham are currently also on seven goal contributions. Before Kane, only Kingsley Coman, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribéry posted as many goals and assists combined in their first six UCL appearances for FCB, since detailed data collection began in 2003. If the 30-year-old carries on like this, he could soon equal his personal best of nine goal contributions from the 2017/18 campaign.
The lowdown on Lazio:
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