In a fixture charged with anticipation and intrigue, Bayern Munich are set to host Lazio at the Allianz Arena in a highly anticipated Champions League encounter. As two formidable sides from Germany and Italy prepare to lock horns, the eventual winner is very much a tough call with both sides coming into this game short of their best form.
Date: 05/03/2024
Kick-off time: 20:00
Location: Allianz Arena
For Bayern Munich, the Champions League represents a beacon of hope amidst a season marred by disappointment and underachievement in domestic competitions. Currently occupying the 2nd position in the Bundesliga, Bayern find themselves trailing leaders Bayer Leverkusen by a considerable margin, a far cry from the dominant displays that have characterised their recent campaigns. After narrowly clinching the league title last season, expectations were high for Bayern to continue their reign of dominance. However, a series of lacklustre performances and unexpected setbacks have left the club reeling and facing the prospect of relinquishing their Bundesliga crown for the first time in over a decade.
Under the stewardship of manager Thomas Tuchel, Bayern have struggled to find consistency and cohesion on the field, with the team's form plummeting to near-unprecedented lows. Tuchel's impending departure at the end of the season has only added to the sense of uncertainty and instability surrounding the club, as Bayern strive to salvage some semblance of pride and redemption in European competition. Despite their struggles, Bayern boast a formidable squad brimming with talent and experience, led by the prolific Harry Kane, whose goal-scoring exploits have provided a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom.
In the first leg of the Champions League tie against Lazio in Rome, Bayern suffered a setback, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat courtesy of a Ciro Immobile penalty. The dismissal of defender Dayot Upamecano further compounded Bayern's woes, leaving them with a tough task in the return fixture at home. However, with the likes of attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala shining brightly amidst the gloom, Bayern no doubt have the talent to turn this one around, even if recent performances suggest otherwise.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Lazio enter the clash with Bayern Munich amidst a season fraught with frustration and disappointment. Currently languishing in 9th place in the Serie A table, Lazio find themselves grappling with inconsistency and underperformance, with manager Maurizio Sarri under increasing scrutiny from the club's fervent fanbase. Despite boasting a good squad quality-wise, Lazio have struggled to find its rhythm and identity on the field, with subpar displays against top-tier opponents exposing their vulnerabilities and shortcomings.
Despite the team's struggles, a few players have emerged as bright spots amidst the gloom, with midfielder Luis Alberto and winger Mattia Zaccagni two of the only squad members who can argue they've performed to the required level. As Lazio brace themselves for a daunting trip to the Allianz Arena, the team remains determined to defy the odds and deliver a performance worthy of their illustrious history and tradition.
Despite being one of the biggest sides in Italy, Lazio have never really made their mark on this competition having been to the quarter-final stage just one time - in the 1999-00 season, which was incidentally their first experience of this competition - so this would be a landmark victory for the club if they were to achieve it.
They have a good record in European competition when taking a first-leg lead, having won twelve of their last thirteen knockout ties after winning the first leg. However, from four attempts they've never won away in Germany in this competition and a win here would mean they're the first club since the great Real Madrid (2016-17) to beat Bayern both on home soil and on the road in the same year, so the enormity of this task cannot be overstated, even in spite of Bayern's poor form.
Bundesliga 
Serie A 
