Lazio will host Bayern Munich in the first leg of UCL last 16

The Italian side Lazio will host German giants Bayern Munich at Stadio Olimpico, Rome in the first leg of the last 16 of the 2023/2024 Champions League. The clash between the top belligerents will take place on Wednesday,14 February 2024. 

Lazio was runners-up in Group E, the Italian side finished behind Atletico Madrid, ahead of Feyenoord and Celtic. In the group phase, Lazio collected 10 points (W3-D1-L2), scored seven goals and conceded seven; these goals were contributed by three from Ciro Immobile, two from Pedro, and one each from Matias Vecino and goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. Meanwhile, Bayern qualified from Group A with 16 points unbeaten (W5-D1-L0), the German giants scored a total of 12 goals and conceded six. The six-time UCL Champions Bayern Munich finished above Copenhagen, Galatasaray and Manchester United.

Bayern's new striker, one of the finest Harry Kane, contributed four goals Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman and Mathys Tel each scored two goals, while Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry scored one goal each. The previous meeting between Lazio and Bayern took place in the last 16 of the Champions League, namely in the 2020/2021 season where Lazio lost 2-6 on aggregate after losing 1-4 in Italy and 1-2 in Germany.

Bayern need to regroup and put their defeat to Bayer Leverkusen behind them when they return to European action. The second-placed Bundesliga side will look to dominate and beat Lazio in this fixture. A heavy 3-0 defeat to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen was the worst possible preparation for Harry Kane & Co., although they knew that another away defeat would be disastrous.

The Italian side Lazio, meanwhile, welcomed the Bavarian to Italy with a win and are ready for their third Champions League knockout tie. Bayern's injury woes continue, with Alphonso Davies joining Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and others on the bench. Kimmich, Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae all featured against Bayer and are likely to start in this contest and the new signing Bryan Zaragoza hopes to make the squad after battling illness.

Lazio is monitoring injuries to Patric and Zaccagni, and Rovella will be available due to his one-match ban for domestic matches only. Bayern continues to overcome injury problems but still has enough strength to leave Italy with a healthy lead in the first leg. Tuchel will bring back more experience for the game, which will be played in a buzzing environment, which should get the job done.

Match Details

Match: Lazio vs Bayern Munich

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024

Time: 01:30 AM IST

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Meeting records in the European Cup/UCL

RB Leipzig wins: 0
Draw: 0
Real Madrid wins: 2

2 Meetings So Far b/w Lazio vs Bayern Munich
- Bayern 2-1 Lazio (Champions League)
- Lazio 1-4 Bayern (Champions League).

Last 5 Matches of Lazio
- Lazio 1-0 Lecce (Serie A)
- Inter 3-0 Lazio (Supercoppa)
- Lazio 0-0 Napoli (Serie A)
- Atalanta 3-1 Lazio (Serie A)
- Cagliari 1-3 Lazio (Serie A).

Last 5 Matches of Bayern Munich
- Bayern 0-1 Bremen (Bundesliga)
- Bayern 1-0 Union Berlin (Bundesliga)
- Augsburg 2-3 Bayern (Bundesliga)
- Bayern 3-1 Gladbach (Bundesliga)
- Leverkusen 3-0 Bayern (Bundesliga).

Probable Playing XI: Lazio and Bayern:

Lazio (4-3-3): 

Provedel; Marusic, Hysaj, Romagnoli, Gila; Alberto, Cataldi, Guendouzi; Immobile, Anderson, Isaksen.

Coach: Maurizio Sarri.

Squad info: Renzetti (suspended), Patric (doubtful).

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): 

Neuer; Mazroui, Guerreiro, Min-Jae, Ligt; Goretzka, Kimmich; Musiala, Muller, Sane; Harry Kane.

Coach: Thomas Tuchel.

Squad info: Gnabry (injured), Davies (injured), Laimer (injured), Coman (injured), Sarr (injured).

Match Prediction: Leipzig 1-3 Bayern Munich