2023-24 UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg – Lazio vs Bayern Munich

Lazio entertain Bayern Munich at Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2023-24 UEFA Champions League.

Lazio progressed to this stage as Group E runners-up, whilst Bayern Munich topped Group A to secure home advantage in the second leg.

 

Team News

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Nicolo Rovella is back in contention for Lazio after he was suspended for their Serie A win at Cagliari.

Patric (shoulder) and Mattia Zaccagni (toe) face late fitness tests.

Bayern Munich could be without Bryan Zaragoza after he missed their Bundesliga defeat at Bayer Leverkusen due to illness.

Daniel Peretz, Kingsley Coman, Alphonso Davies (all knee), Bouna Sarr, Gabriel Marusic (both ACL), Tarek Buchmann (hamstring), Serge Gnabry (tendon), Konrad Laimer (calf) and Noel Aseko-Nkili (ankle) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Lazio host Bayern Munich at Stadio Olimpico at 9pm CET (8pm GMT) on Wednesday 14 February, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Lazio have lost each of their two previous meetings against Bayern Munich (L2), which came at this same stage in 2020-21 season.
• Bayern Munich won 4-1 in their only previous visit to Lazio in February 2021.
• Munich are yet to keep a competitive clean sheet against Lazio during which they scored six goals and conceded twice.
• Three of Lazio’s four goals at home in the group stage were scored by Ciro Immobile.
• Bayern Munich kept just one clean sheet in their three group matches away from home (W3), which came in a 1-0 win at Manchester United in December 2023.

 

Prediction

With just two defeats in their last nine matches in all competitions, Lazio certainly have found their groove after an inconsistent first half of the season but their defence will need to be at its best against a difficult Bayern attack.

Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern however have a serious injury crisis with key players like Coman and Gnabry out, whilst their attacking performance against Leverkusen was lacklustre so I do expect a serious reaction here if can find their top quality.

I however do feel that Lazio could keep this tie alive if can isolate Harry Kane and nullify Bayern’s attack, but you would expect the six-time winners to have the edge here no matter what.

Prediction: Lazio 1-2 Bayern Munich

Result: Lazio 1-0 Bayern Munich