Lazio vs Bayern Munich
UEFA Champions League
Round of 16
Wednesday
14th February 2024
Olimpico
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the UEFA Champions League fixture between Lazio and Bayern Munich.
Lazio vs Bayern Munich: Preview
Lazio form analysis
I Biancocelesti had a mixed group stage campaign on their return to the Champions League. They began strongly by coming from behind to beat exciting Celtic 2-1 away, with Vecino equalizing after Furuhashi’s opener before Pedro grabbed a dramatic late winner. However, Lazio then produced a poor performance away at Feyenoord, comfortably beaten 1-3 after goals from Giménez, Zerrouki and Giménez again put the hosts in control before Pedro netted a late consolation penalty.
Needing a response, Lazio bounced back by beating Feyenoord 1-0 at home thanks to Immobile’s first half strike which proved decisive. They built on this victory by finally getting their first home win, beating Celtic 2-0. However, in their final group match Lazio faced group winners Atletico Madrid and despite a valiant effort, conceded twice in the first half to go down 2-0. Overall, Lazio performed well at times but their away form let them down, taking just one point from three road matches. Nevertheless, Ciro Immobile’s goals proved crucial in securing passage to the knockout rounds.
Bayern Munich form analysis
Bayern Munich had an unbeaten but patchy group stage as they qualified comfortably for the knockout stages. They began with a gritty 2-1 away win against FC Copenhagen thanks to goals from Musiala and summer signing Tel cancelling out Lerager’s surprise opener. Bayern continued with another away victory in their next European match, winning 3-1 at Galatasaray as efforts from Coman, new striker Kane and Musiala saw off the hosts despite briefly conceding to an Icardi penalty.
However, their form stuttered after labored home victories, first edging Galatasaray 2-1 through a Kane double before being held to a goalless draw by FC Copenhagen. Bayern ground out a narrow 0-1 away win against Manchester United courtesy of Coman’s goal to progress as group winners. Overall, it was an inconsistent group stage campaign from manager Thomas Tuchel’s star-studded squad. They dominate matches in spells but often lacking cutting edge and control, especially in home matches.
Lazio vs Bayern Munich: Prediction
The Bavarians are in impressive Champions League form heading into this fixture. The club has won all but one of their last eight UCL matches away from home. They are likely to secure the lead in the first leg against a club that has failed to secure the win in three of their last five home games in this tournament.
Nearly three goals were scored on average in the last five home UCL games of the Romans. This figure is just shy of four in the last four of Bayern’s CL matches while travelling. These stats all but guarantee a high scoring game.
