Bayern Munich Puts Four Past Lazio In Champions League
UEFA Champions League holders Bayern Munich put four goals past Lazio during it’s 4-1 victory in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Rome, with goals from Jamal Musiala, Robert Lewandowski and Leroy Sane.
Lewandowski opened the scoring by capitalising on a back pass by Mateo Musacchio and fired the ball into the net for his 72nd goal in the UEFA Champions League, moving a goal clear of Raul (71), to become the third top-scorer in the history of the competition after Cristiano Ronaldo(134) and Lionel Messi (119).
Then the 17-year-old Jamal Musiala then doubled the lead, finishing smartly from outside the box into the corner of the net. Musiala became the second-youngest player of any nationality to score in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Bayern were in complete control in the first half against Lazio and continued to create more chances.
Leroy Sane made it three just before half-time, tapping the ball into the next after Lazio goalkeeper Pepe Reina pushed Kingsley Coman’s shot into his path, leaving Bayern’s Serie A opponents humiliated .
In the second half, Lazio’s situation worsened when Sane’s dangerous delivery was turned into the Lazio net by Lazio’s Francesco Acerbi for an own-goal to all but wrap up Bayern’s progression to the quarter-finals.
On their first appearance in the knockout stages for 21 years, Lazio found a consolation when Joaquin Correa dribbled through the Bayern defence for a clever solo goal. However, the scoreline remained 4-1 till the final whistle.
This result sends a warning that the reigning champions are still the team to beat in this seasons competition.
“Champions League is something special, especially for our players. Everyone recognized we were all capable and ready to deliver a special performance,” Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick said after the match.
The second leg of this Champions League last-16 clash is on March 17.
Chidi Nwoke.
