Lazio Triumphs Over 10-Man Bayern Munich Thanks to Ciro Immobile

Lazio secured a narrow 1-0 win against a 10-man Bayern Munich team in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg match, thanks to a penalty by Ciro Immobile in the 69th minute on Wednesday.

Immobile’s successful penalty kick came after a significant error by Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano, who was given a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Gustav Isaksen.

Lazio’s disciplined defense successfully neutralized Bayern’s offense, leaving the German powerhouse without a shot on goal throughout the game. This result adds to the woes of Bayern, who were looking to make amends after a recent 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, which has placed them five points behind the league leaders.

Bayern Munich, under the management of Thomas Tuchel, now faces increased scrutiny after their consecutive losses, especially with their lack of scoring in these matches.

Tuchel, reflecting on the game, acknowledged the early opportunities Bayern had and felt the team was in control in the first half. However, he admitted to a decline in performance and concentration in the second half, attributing the loss to individual mistakes and a loss of rhythm.

Despite the pressure, Tuchel expressed no concerns about his job security.

Bayern had their chances in the match, with Joshua Kimmich and Harry Kane missing narrowly early on. Lazio also had their moments, notably a powerful attempt by Luis Alberto that missed the goal.

As the game progressed, both teams struggled for dominance, with Bayern unable to break through Lazio’s solid defense. Lazio’s chance to lead came early in the second half, but Isaksen’s effort was thwarted by Bayern’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The game-changing moment arrived when Immobile passed the ball to Isaksen in the penalty area, leading to Upamecano’s foul and subsequent penalty kick. Immobile confidently converted the penalty, deceiving Neuer and securing a vital lead for Lazio ahead of the second leg in Munich on March 5.

Immobile praised his team’s preparation and belief in their ability to compete in the match, highlighting the importance of capitalizing on their chances ahead of the next leg.