Bayern strikers businesslike as German giants advance to Champions League quarterfinals
Defending UCL Champions FC Bayern München punched their ticket for the 2020/21 Quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Lazio Rome at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.
The German giants progress to the next stage of the competition on a 6-2 aggregate scoreline.
Despite the fact that qualifying for the next round was already essentially assured, FCB trainer Hansi Flick rolled out arguably his best possible XI for the return leg against Serie A opponents Lazio Rome on Wednesday night.
The German giants progress to the next stage of the competition on a 6-2 aggregate scoreline.
Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sané were all deployed in attack. The deadly midfield tandem of Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich stood untouched. Jerome Boateng and David Alaba both started at center back.
Only Manuel Neuer, troubled by a mild non-corona-related touch of illness, took a seat in favor backup keeper Alexander Nübel. Lazio had to do without talismanic striker Cirro Immobile.
Both sides played a fairly equal match over the first quarter of an hour. The German hosts maintained a slight edge in possession while their Italian guests were able to generate a few more scoring chances. Nübel snuffed out the most dangerous of these with a fine save of a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic effort in the 15th.
Bayern were awarded a penalty shortly after the half-hour-mark when Vedat Muriqi clipped Goretzka in the box. Match official Istvan Kovacs might have been unduly influenced by his proximity to the play as replays confirmed it was something of a harsh call. In any event, Lewandowski converted from the spot to give the FCB the lead.
The Bavarians proceeded on cruise control thereafter. Their opponents rarely troubled the German record champions, even as they noticeably operated in low-gear. Lewandowski nearly snagged a brace with a brilliant effort from outside the 18 that hit the post in the 67th. The world footballer of the year would be substituted off for Eric Maxim Choupo Moting four minutes later.
Lewandowski's replacement scored his fifth goal in a Bayern tricot with a skillful lob over the keeper after Alaba set him up two minutes after his introduction. Substitute Marco Parolo would salvage a small bit of pride by pulling a goal back with a headed finish in the 82nd.