1-0. Immobile digs into Bayern’s wound

Rome, February 14 (EFE).- With a penalty goal, the Italian Ciro Immobile, infallible on the great nights of his Lazio, delved into the open wound of Bayern Munich (1-0) and brought his team within a few historic quarters that now need to be resisted at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich appeared at the Olympic Stadium in Rome still affected by this weekend’s tough defeat once morest Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen (3-0), and left with more doubts than they arrived. A very clear penalty from Upamecano in the second half, with his consequent expulsion, condemned the Munich team in Rome.

Immobile, the emblem of this Lazio, did not fail his appointment with the goal. As a former player for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern’s historic rival, he fulfilled his double mission. And now historic quarters for the Capitols are 90 minutes away. The same ones that can unleash the catastrophe in Munich.

Thomas Tuchel’s team was forced to react in this Champions League duel once morest an inferior team to reaffirm its authority, still diminished by the significant losses of Coman, Davies and Gnabry.

And, as expected, the Bavarian team’s start was better with two dangerous shots from Kimmich and Harry Kane in 7 minutes. But what seemed like it might be a German roller in Italy at that moment gave way once more to the uncertainty of Tuchel’s project. Little by little, Lazio became equal with a very secure Gila at the back, with Luis Alberto commanding in the center of the field and with Immobile holding up with Upamecano on long balls.

Solidarity at its best is that of Sarri’s men to minimize the impact of Sané and Musiala on the outside, and to reduce a Kane who was missing throughout the match to ashes.

Sarri already warned that they would not be a defensive team and the ‘biancocelesti’ had their chances. A distant shot from Luis Alberto, another from Isaksen and a counterattack in the last breath of the first act that froze the hearts of the German fans who traveled to the Italian capital.

Of course, the clearest ones of the first half were from a Bayern that had to resort above all to long-range shots to gain space, as in the free kick that Sané took and grazed the post. Only on one occasion was he able to triangulate on the balcony of the area and do damage, but Musiala scored very high.

The feeling was that Bayern were stuck, lacking ideas, slow in transition, predictable; and that Lazio was clear regarding where their game was going. Sarri’s team interpreted it perfectly, starting the second 45 minutes very strongly. A magical pass from Luis Alberto left Isaksen alone, but Neuer avoided the goal with a great save.

It was the warning of what was to come. A few minutes later, following the duel hour, the key moment of the game arrived. A textbook counter from Lazio that seemed to come to nothing on the front. Immobile got tangled with the ball, but came out ahead, gave it to Isaksen and Upamecano swept him with an iron to the ankle.

Tuchel covered his face. Penalty and expulsion. His duel became complicated if the Italian captain scored. His credibility too. And Ciro Immobile did not fail. He calmly tricked Neuer and unleashed the party in Rome. These are fantastic days for an Immobile who has regained his smile, who scored his 200th goal in Serie A and who was in charge of knocking down Bayern.

Felipe Anderson might have put the tie on track, but Min-Jae blocked his shot. The tie is still open, but Lazio took a giant step forward in Rome. And Bayern is still lost. Everything will be decided at Allianz.

— Datasheet:

1 – Lazio: Provedel; Marusic, Gila (Patrick, m.81), Romagnoli, Hysaj (Lazzari, m.60); Guendouzi, Neighbor, Louis Albert (Friend, m.81); Philip Anderson, Isaksen (Pedro, m.74) and Immobile (Castellanos, m.74).

0 – Bayern Munich: Neuer; Mazraoui, Kim Min-Jae, Upamecano, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka (De Ligt, m.73); Sané (Tel, m.82), Müller (Choupo-Moting, m.82), Musiala; Kane.

Goals: 1-0, m.68: Immobile

Referee: François Letexier (FRA). Kimmich was cautioned (m.68) by Bayern Munich. Upamecano was sent off with a direct red card (m.67)

Incidents: match corresponding to the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League, played at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.

Thomas Frutos