Bayern 2-1 Lazio (agg: 6-2): Holders ease into last eight
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Article summary
Robert Lewandowski and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting were both on target as Bayern reached a record 19th UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
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Match in brief
While the visitors settled quickly, the home side looked the more likely scorers and they were presented with the chance to extend their aggregate advantage in the 33rd minute when Leon Goretzka was pulled down by Vedat Muriqi as he tried to get on the end of a corner. Robert Lewandowski duly sent Pepe Reina the wrong way from the spot to find the net for the seventh game in a row in all competitions.
With Bayern in control, Lewandowski came close to doubling their advantage with a low shot that struck Reina's right-hand post. Joaquín Correa was denied by Alexander Nübel at the end of a flowing move but, within minutes, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – on for Lewandowski – supplied a fine chipped finish after sumptuous passes from Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba.
Lazio at least had the last word on the night, Marco Parolo sneaking in at the far post to get on the end of a deep free-kick from fellow substitute Andreas Pereira, but despite a late flurry thereafter Bayern held on to win on the night and on aggregate.
Player of the Match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern)
"He was the one that dictated the tempo of the game. He was really intelligent in his playmaking and defensive position. He gave balance to the team."
Patrick Vieira, UEFA Technical Observer
Check out every official UEFA Champions League Player of the Match.
Jordan Maciel, Bayern reporter
Bayern's spot in the last eight was never seriously in doubt and the late Lazio goal was the only blemish in an otherwise professional performance from the holders. Tougher opponents surely await in the quarter-finals, but no matter which team they are drawn against on Friday, Bayern remain the team to beat.
Vieri Capretta, Lazio reporter
The tie was never in doubt tonight, but Lazio produced a much better performance. A positive approach, some good moments of football, and a deserved goal. Overall, they showed that their performance in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico was below their usual level. A step forward from the first leg, but not enough to really cause Bayern too many problems.
Reaction
Hansi Flick, Bayern coach: "If I were to name a team that I don't want to face yet, I know 100% we would draw them. The best of the best play each other and we are there, where we want to be and where we feel at home. We want to end the season as strongly as possible, so we must be our best in the quarter-finals.”
Joshua Kimmich, Bayern midfielder: "It would have been nice to keep a clean sheet; we haven't done that enough this season and even today, against an opponent that didn't have much to play for, we couldn't manage it. It was important that we won this game, even though we had a good result in the first leg. We wanted to show that we want to win every game. That's in our DNA and our approach to every game."
Simone Inzaghi, Lazio coach: "This was a risky game after the first leg. The players did well to never switch off. A good performance was necessary, and we bow out of the competition with a positive game. Some teams are unplayable: Bayern are one of them. We're proud of our European path this season, progressing from the group unbeaten."
Marco Parolo, Lazio midfielder: "We can still grow. We struggled to have consistency this season. Bayern were impressive in fighting constantly, despite their lead. We can learn from this."
Key stats
• Lewandowski has scored five goals or more in nine successive UEFA Champions League seasons and has ten goals in his last seven games in all competitions.
• Bayern have won all 22 of their home matches in the competition when Lewandowski has been on the scoresheet.
• Bayern are in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the 19th time, a new competition record. They had previously been level with Barcelona on 18.
Line-ups
Bayern: Nübel; Pavard, Boateng (Süle 46), Alaba, Hernández; Kimmich (Martínez 77), Goretzka (Davies 64); Sané, Müller (Musiala 71), Gnabry; Lewandowski (Choupo-Moting 71)
Lazio: Reina; Marušić, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari (Parolo 57), Milinković-Savić, Escalante (Akpa-Akpro 84), Alberto (Cataldi 75), Fares (Lulić 46); Muriqi (Pereira 55), Correa
What's next?
The quarter-final and semi-final draws will be streamed live on UEFA.com from midday CET on Friday 19 March. There are no seedings or country protection.