FC Bayern host Lazio on Tuesday for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie (kick-off at 9pm CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and web radio). The Munich side must win to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg. With their fans behind them at the Allianz Arena, Bayern will give all they’ve got to be among Europe’s best eight teams for 2023/24. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game.
Check out the best photos from the build-up to the game on Monday:
State of play
“The situation is clear and that is we must win, by two goals, and against a Sarri team. It’s a big challenge,” summarised head coach Thomas Tuchel at his press conference ahead of the game. Bayern come into the match on the back of a 2-2 draw away at Freiburg in the Bundesliga after conceding a late goal. Tuesday’s clash with Lazio should now bring about a change in fortunes, as defender Matthijs de Ligt explained: “It’s a very important game for us, for the whole club. When you’re in the quarter-finals, it’s a good season, it gives you energy.”
According to Tuchel, it will need a “good mix of cool heads but still putting your foot on the gas in an emotional way” to complete a comeback against the Italians. “Patience is required. It’s about not getting frustrated, not losing the plot. But we have no time to lose. We can’t wait till we play the first attack, play the ball in behind. Time is on Lazio’s side.” Bayern will, though, have plenty of support inside the Allianz Arena. “We definitely need a stadium that’s full of emotion, but it’s also on us to pass on those emotions and passion to the stands. We need a top performance,” the 50-year-old added.
Bayern “must deliver” in the second leg:
Opponent: Lazio
Lazio have struggled since winning in the first leg, managing just one win in four in Serie A, losing the other three. Their most recent outing was a 1-0 defeat at home to AC Milan, that saw Maurizio Sarri’s team drop to ninth in the table.
However, the first leg will serve as a warning to the Bundesliga champions. “They’re very good defensively, work hard, are alert and strong in the box,” said de Ligt. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Lazio played on the counter and looked to use their speed and runs on the last shoulder,” Tuchel added. “We need possession and good cover when we attack, and at the highest level for the whole 90 minutes.”
Lazio lost to AC Milan at the weekend:
Team news
Sacha Boey and Noussair Mazraoui are both training with the ball again following their hamstring injuries, but they still miss out alongside Kingsley Coman (MCL), Tarek Buchmann (muscular) and Bouna Sarr (ACL). Dayot Upamecano is suspended following his red card in the first leg. Leroy Sane is set to feature again following his groin issue, but Tuchel says they will have to wait and see whether they include Serge Gnabry in the squad following his muscular injury.
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
What the coaches say
It counts to be fully focused in every minute and to stay at it together to turn it our way. You need to feel that for the full 90 minutes.
Thomas Tuchel
We need to be brave and resolute. It won’t be easy. They have a huge amount of quality.
Maurizio Sarri (Lazio)
Recap the build-up to the game with Monday’s press conferences and training:
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