Can Off-Form Bayern Munich Overturn Deficit Against Lazio?

Bayern München vs Lazio - 05/03/2024

Champions League | Preview

04/03/24

Can Off-Form Bayern Munich Overturn Deficit Against Lazio?

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One of the most successful clubs in Champions League history is in danger of missing out on the quarter-finals of this season’s competition.

On Tuesday, Bayern Munich welcome Lazio to the Allianz Arena, with the Italian side carrying a 1-0 advantage into the second leg.

Can the German giants turn things around? Or will the Eagles heap more misery on faltering Bayern? This preview contains key stats, trends and predictions.

𝗗𝗔𝗛𝗢𝗔𝗠 mit 𝗘𝗨𝗖𝗛 am Dienstag! ❤️🤍

Noch zwei Tage...#PACKMAS #FCBLAZ #UCL pic.twitter.com/ipCGFNS2xu
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) March 3, 2024

Despite racking up 61% possession and 17 shots in the first leg, Bayern Munich failed to register a single attempt on target, with Ciro Immobile scoring a penalty for the hosts.

Following a 2-2 draw with Freiburg at the weekend, Bayern have now failed to win four of their previous five matches across all competitions.

To make matters worse for Thomas Tuchel’s men, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven games, conceding 13 goals in the process.

Still, Bayern can take confidence from their impressive Champions League record, as they have lost just two of their previous 17 UCL matches, avoiding defeat in each of their last eight on home soil.

Although Lazio can count themselves slightly fortunate to have won the first leg, they did create plenty of chances at the Stadio Olimpico a fortnight ago.

Since then, however, the Eagles have suffered three defeats in four Serie A matches, with 2-1 losses against Bologna and Fiorentina preceding last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to AC Milan.

In the Champions League, Lazio have won five of their previous seven games, keeping a clean sheet in three of their last four encounters.

That said, the Italian outfit have conceded six goals in three UCL away outings this season, averaging two goals against per game on the road.

Head-to-head: Bayern and Lazio met during the 2020-21 Champions League knockout phase, with the German giants enjoying a 6-2 aggregate victory that season.

Given that the three previous UCL meetings have produced a total of nine goals, Tuesday’s showdown will likely be a high-scoring affair.

Team news: Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano is suspended after picking up a red card in the first leg, while Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane and Noussair Mazraoui are among the injury absentees.

Lazio have a couple of injury problems of their own, with young midfielder Nicolo Rovella and Spanish defender Patric expected to miss the second leg.

There is no hiding the fact that Bayern have struggled for consistency in recent times, but Tuchel’s men should have more than enough quality to overcome Lazio.