Lazio 1-0 Bayern Munich – Ciro Immobile penalty secures Champions League first leg advantage as Dayot Upamecano sees red
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Updated 14/02/2024 at 23:16 GMT
Lazio will carry a 1-0 advantage to Munich for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern thanks to Ciro Immobile's second-half penalty at the Stadio Olimpico. The Germans came in as hot favourites, but struggled to break down their Italian opponents and were punished when Dayot Upamecano's reckless red card challenge on Gustav Isaksen gave Lazio their big chance.
Highlights: Immobile penalty gives Lazio advantage over 10-man Bayern
Ciro Immobile fired home a second-half winner from the penalty spot as Lazio completed a famous 1-0 win over a wasteful 10-man Bayern Munich in a gripping UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg battle in Rome.
After keeping the German champions at bay in the first period, Lazio struck on 69 minutes when Dayot Upamecano was rightly sent off for a crude late challenge on Gustav Isaksen as his shot flew wide.
After VAR confirmed the decision, Immobile stepped up to send Manuel Neuer the wrong way and consign Bayern to a second straight defeat after Thomas Tuchel's men were humbled 3-0 at Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
In truth, a disciplined Lazio were good value for their win as Maurizio Sarri's men frustrated the visiting side, who managed 15 shots at goal, but none on target in a forgettable night at the Stadio Olimpico.
Bayern must aim to rectify matters in the return leg in Munich on Tuesday 5 March.
Talking point: Harry Kane sums up Bayern struggles
Harry Kane should have put six-time European champions Bayern Munich ahead early on in Rome, but the normally deadly England forward cleared the bar with a volley when you expected the net to ripple.
It was downhill from that point onwards. And no surprise really when Lazio progressed to win the game after a 3-0 thumping by Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday saw Bayern slip five points off the pace in the Bundesliga.
"A really tough week," said Kane on TNT Sports. "In the first half we started well and had some clear chances, one for myself. In these games, they are big moments and we weren't able to take it in the first half.
"The second half was disappointing. We came out with less energy, less confidence and too many balls given away. We got punished. Once you go down to 10 men, it's always difficult to find a way back into the game.
"We have to find it among ourselves. We're still in the race for the Bundesliga and we're still in this tie. We have to keep fighting and look forward. And turn this momentum around.
"The main thing is to focus on the next challenge. We're in a difficult spell. We have to fight. We have to turn it round. The good thing is we have big games and big things to fight for. We're not out of it, we will never give up. We just need to turn it around. One game, or spark can turn it around. We'll push each other to try and find it. "
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'We're in a difficult spell' - Kane reflects on 'tough week' for Bayern
Player of the Match: Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio)
An immense performance from the midfielder high on energy, enthusiasm and no little quality in breaking up several Bayern attacks while supporting his own side's instincts on the counter attack. A colossal performance straight out of the Rome Coliseum in delighting the vast and vociferous home support.
Player Ratings
Lazio: Provedel 7, Marusic 8, Gila 8, Romagnoli 8, Hysaj 8, Vecino 8, Guendouzi 8, Alberto 8, Isaksen 8, Immobile 8, Anderson 8 Subs: Patric 6, Kamada 6, Pedro 6, Castellanos 6, Lazzari 6
Bayern Munich: Neuer 6, Mazraoui 6, Upamecano 5, Minjae 6, Guerreiro 6, Kimmich 6, Goretzka 6, Musiala 6, Muller 6, Kane 6, Sane 6 Subs: De Ligt 6, Choupo-Moting 6, Tel 6
Match Highlights
9' GOLDEN CHANCE FOR KANE Well, how Bayern are not ahead is astonishing. Muller with the ball back across goal from the Kimmich chip into the Lazio box, but Kane snatches at the volley and wallops the finish miles over the bar. Should be 1-0 to the visitors.
29' FREE-KICK CHANCE FOR THE VISITORS Jamal Musiala is felled by Gila just outside the Lazio box. Worked it well with Muller passing and Kane running over it, but Sane drives the ball a yard wide from 20 yards. So close to an opening goal.
39' CAN BAYERN FIND THE OPENER BEFORE BREAK? And the answer is not yet. Move the ball so quickly with a brilliant team move, but Jamal Musiala wallops the finish wide of goal with Lazio cut well open. Tuchel can't believe that miss.
48' LAZIO BLOW A HUGE CHANCE! Mistake by Kim and Gustav Isaksen is in on goal, but he hesitates with the shot at goal as Neuer narrows the angle to make the stop. Brilliant ball by Alberto.
67' A PENALTY TO LAZIO! And a red card too. Bayern Munich down to 10 men as Dayot Upamecano clatters Gustav Isaksen with a poor challenge. Shot flies wide. Goes to VAR. Kimmich also yellow carded for complaining. Decision stands. Would you believe this.
69' GOAL! LAZIO 1-0 BAYERN MUNICH (IMMOBILE) A brilliant penalty from the home side as Ciro Immobile planted the ball to Neuer's left as he dived right. A cool, cool finish. A 1-0 lead for the home side. Rome is well and truly alive.
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