Lazio relatively unexpectedly beat Bayern Munich within the first leg of their encounter within the Champions League spherical of 16 on the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday, and may have a minimal benefit to take to the rematch on the Allianz Enviornment on March fifth. The one aim of the sport was a penalty transformed by Ciro Motionless within the 69th minute, after Dayot Upamecano dedicated a foul on Gustav Isaksen that resulted in a straight crimson card for the Bayern defender as properly.
The sport
Bayern had been thought-about because the favourites to win this recreation, with their superior high quality and observe file at this stage of the Champions League. Subsequently, it’s not shocking that they dominated many of the contest, ending up with 61% of possession and a complete of 17 pictures, whereas Lazio had 11. Nonetheless, not a kind of 17 pictures went on track, giving Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel no saves to make in any respect.
Harry Kane has clearly been one of many standout performers this season for Bayern, however the England captain didn’t have a terrific day on the workplace on Wednesday. He had a number of positive alternatives to get his crew forward earlier than Motionless’s opener, however the ball simply wouldn’t go the place he wished it to. Jamal Musiala, Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane, who unfold throughout the width of the pitch to assist Kane, had been steadily stopped of their tracks by the Lazio defence, highlighting the struggles the Bavarians have been going by way of in latest matches which have allowed Bayer Leverkusen to extend their lead on the prime of the Bundesliga to 5 factors, because it stands in the meanwhile.
The industriousness of Matteo Guendouzi, to not point out the creativity and playmaking abilities of Luis Alberto, induced loads of issues for Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in the midst of the park, however all in all, it was in all probability Lazio’s motivation, the assist of the house followers, and the sheer need to make this season rely for one thing, that caused this victory.
It stays to be seen how far Maurizio Sarri’s crew can go within the competitors. They are going to be conscious that their one-goal benefit will likely be examined onerous on the Allianz Enviornment; the tie is clearly removed from settled. In the meantime, they sit in seventh place within the Serie A standings proper now, and it additionally stays to be seen in the event that they’ll have the ability to bridge the five-point hole that separates them from the highest 4.
Sarri’s males managed to hit the goal 4 instances, and it must be mentioned that Guendouzi and Isakson ought to’ve stored their heads extra clear on a few events. Regardless of the smaller possession share, their benefit might’ve been larger, although once more, the identical could be mentioned of the Bayern attackers.
The penalty incident
There could be little or no doubt about referee Francois Letexier from France making the proper name when he awarded the Lazio penalty and despatched Upamecano straight off. For himself, there didn’t appear to be any doubt about it in any respect, and no name to overview the incident got here from the VAR room.
It began with Musiala dropping the ball within the Lazio half and Felipe Anderson pulling a fast counter assault by way of the center. He had choices on each side as Motionless pulled out to the left and Isakson got here in from the proper, and he selected Motionless. The veteran striker confirmed nice dribbling ability as he danced with the ball fully surrounded by the Bayern defence, however did not get off a shot and the ball ultimately obtained away from him. However fortuitously for Lazio, it got here to Isaksen to tried to shoot first time, and Upamecano reacted very late, placing his studs by way of the ankle of the Lazio winger. The sort out might’ve simply resulted in Isakson getting significantly injured, it was fully reckless, leaving little question in Letexier’s thoughts about his determination.
On his day, Upamecano could be a top-quality defender, however there are frequent lapses in his focus which trigger him to make severe errors, a trait that he’s been carrying even in his days with RB Leipzig.
No place for racism
Nonetheless, the response of a piece of the Bayern supporters in the direction of their defender on social media was actually unacceptable. Upamecano suffered extreme racist abuse for his mistake, and the Bundesliga champions quickly stepped up with an official assertion to sentence such senseless outbursts, providing assist to their participant.
Racism in soccer, notably on social media, although in stadium stands too, is sadly nothing new. A horde of irresponsible people apparently get their kicks by insulting anybody in any manner they’ll consider, and the colour of 1’s pores and skin appears to be the very first thing that involves their sorry minds when a mistake is made.
And now, as an alternative of specializing in the error on the pitch and dealing on maintaining his focus up throughout matches, Upamecano has to cope with racial insults and threats. Let’s hope such behaviour is clamped down on, very onerous, very quickly.
Tuchel below strain
There has clearly been a lot hypothesis about Thomas Tuchel probably going through the sack because the Bayern head coach. The person who led Chelsea in opposition to the percentages to the Champions League trophy in 2021, a 12 months after main Paris Saint-Germain to the ultimate, doesn’t appear able to find the answer to Bayern’s issues in the meanwhile.
Maybe the 50-year-old tactician must be given extra time to seek out it, however it might certainly be a vastly unsuccessful season for a membership like Bayern to finish up with no silverware. They’re already out of the DFB-Pokal and issues aren’t wanting too good within the Bundesliga both. Exiting the Champions League on the spherical of 16 would possibly simply value Tuchel his job, and he’ll do properly to seek out the proper method to encourage a comeback on the Allianz Enviornment.
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