Bayern Munich will host Lazio at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, looking to overturn the deficit from the first leg.
Lazio managed to win 1-0 at home, they will be eager to book their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals when they lock horns with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the second leg of their Round of 16 clash.
The German champions are going through a bit of a crisis right now, and their form has been quite underwhelming. They will have to improve immensely to win the tie. Bayern Munich have picked up just one win from their last five matches across all competitions, and Lazio will certainly fancy their chances of pulling off an upset here.
Meanwhile, Lazio are not at their best either. They have lost three of the last 4 matches across all competitions. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
The home team could be without a number of key players here. Leroy Sane could miss out with tendon injury, while Sacha Boey and Noussair Mazraoui are ruled out with hamstring problems. Kingsley Coman will return next month from his MCL injury, while Dayot Upamecano is suspended.
Bayern Munich are likely to shape up in their 4-2-3-1 formation, with Manuel Neuer in goal. Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies will shape up as the full-backs and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Kim Min-jae will start alongside Matthijs de Ligt at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield pivot, Aleksandar Pavlovic will start alongside Leon Goretzka. The two players will look to add physicality and defensive cover to the side. Thomas Muller will start as the central attacking midfielder here, and he will look to add creativity and goals in the final third.
Harry Kane will lead the line for Bayern Munich against Lazio. Finally, Mathys Tel and Jamal Musiala will be deployed as the wingers. The two players will look to add flair, creativity and goals from the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Kim, Davies; Goretzka, Pavlovic; Tel, Muller, Musiala; Kane
Lazio
Lazio do not have any major injury issues to deal with, although they will be without Patric and Nicolo Rovela. Nevertheless, the away side should be able to field a full-strength line up here. Ivan Provedel will start in goal.
The Lazio goalkeeper will sit behind a back four of Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli and Elseid Hysaj. Marusic and Hysaj will be deployed as the full-backs, and they will look to protect the central defenders and help out during counter-attacks.
In the midfield, Danilo Cataldi will add defensive cover to the side, while Matteo Guendouzi and Luis Alberto will add creativity and control. Ciro immobile will lead the line for Lazio, with Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagini on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Romagnoli, Gila, Hysaj; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
Key Stats
- Bayern Munich are winless in four of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Lazio are winless in three of their last six matches in all competitions.
- Bayern Munich have won two of their last three matches against Lazio.
- Nine goals have been scored in the last three matches between these two teams.
- Both teams have scored in two of the last three matches between Bayern Munich and Lazio.
- Bayern Munich have conceded 11 goals in their last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
The 30-year-old striker has scored 31 goals for Bayern Munich across all competitions, and he has eight assists along the way as well. He will be our key player to watch out for.
The England international will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates and get on the scoresheet as well. Bayern Munich will need him to step up if they want to progress through to the next round.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-0 Lazio
The Italian outfit managed to grind out an impressive result in the first leg but this is a different challenge for them. The German outfit will be disappointed with their recent performances and they will be desperate to bounce back strongly.
Bayern Munich are the favourites on paper and they have a formidable squad despite their injury problems. They should be able to grind out a comprehensive win at home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 victory for Thomas Tuchel and his charges, easing the pressure on them somewhat.