10-man Bayern slip to defeat in Rome
Bayern Munich's woes continued on Wednesday with a bitter 1-0 defeat to Lazio in the Champions League.
| Photo: Bayern München/OneFootball |
Needing a positive result after Saturday's humiliating 3-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern started the game on the front foot and came close to opening the scoring when Harry Kane fired a half-volley over the bar from a promising position.
At the other end of the pitch, Lazio rarely threatened Bayern's goal in the first half, although Luis Alberto did come close with a long-range shot that flew just over the bar after 22 minutes.
Bayern came close again in the 32nd minute when a clever free-kick routine involving several players ended with Leroy Sane curling the ball just wide of the post.
Eight minutes later, a superb passing move fomr Bayern didn't come to fruition as Jamal Musiala fired the ball over the bar from a good position, giving the Germans another reason to be disappointed not to go into the break with the lead.
The second half began with a great chance for the home side as Luis Alberto's high pass split the Bayern defense and found Gustav Isaksen, but the Dane's first touch was poor, and he was denied by a leg save from Manuel Neuer.
In contrast to the first 45 minutes, Bayern struggled to create clear-cut chances and were forced to wait patiently for an opening as they moved the ball around.
Then, in the 67th minute, the Bavarians were hit by a counterattack that ended with Dayot Upamecano conceding a penalty and being shown the red card for a nasty challenge on Isaksen. Ciro Immobile stepped up and sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way to make it 1-0 to Lazio.
With 10 men on the pitch, Bayern did their best to find an equaliser in the remaining minutes of the game, but they couldn't and thus fell to another disappointing defeat.
But with Lazio leading by just one goal, the Germans have reason to believe they can turn things around in the return leg at the Allianz Arena on March 5.