Different Quality, Bayern Proves Champion Status When Defeating Lazio 4-1

Leroy Sane (right) celebrates with Robert Lewandowski after scoring his team's third goal against Lazio (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Bayern Munich proved their status as defending champions of the Champions League when they beat Lazio 4-1 in the first leg of the last 16 at the Stadio Olimpico, Wednesday, February 24.

Robert Lewandowski, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane each netted one goal against Lazio before defender Francesco Acerbi completed it with an own goal.

Lazio, who have only returned to the knockout stages of the Champions League again since 2000, could only score one goal in that game through Joaquin Correa.

According to Antara, the game was only nine minutes old when Lewandowski managed to cut through a bad feedback from Mateo Musacchio, before outwitting goalkeeper Pepe Reina and tucking the ball into an unmanned net to open Bayern's lead.

The Man of the Match 🌟 #LAZFCB @lewy_official #UCL pic.twitter.com/Osz6dM4f6W

- 🏆🏆🏆FC Bayern English🏆🏆🏆 (@FCBayernEN) February 23, 2021

Lazio had the chance to respond, when Correa sent a through ball that Luis Alberto could pursue, but in a one-on-one situation goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was able to ward off the opportunity to secure Bayern's goal in the 23rd minute.

Neuer expertise was paid off by his colleagues, because a minute later Musiala was able to break into the Lazio penalty box to receive and complete a pass from Leon Goretzka to double Die Bavaria's lead.

A night to remember 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/bueo1REpvN

- Jamal Musiala (@JamalMusiala) February 23, 2021

Three minutes before halftime, Bayern were further away when Sane grabbed the ball from Kingsley Coman's shot which Reina failed to stop.

How about that Leroy and Kingsley link-up tonight ?! ⚡🔥 ♦ ️ #LAZFCB 1-4 ♦ ️ pic.twitter.com/IpEffqPi8r

- 🏆🏆🏆FC Bayern English🏆🏆🏆 (@FCBayernEN) February 23, 2021

The situation took a turn for the worse for Lazio two minutes after the second half of action when Acerbi scored an own goal while trying to seal Sane's bait to put Bayern up 4-0.

Lazio had the chance to respond when Correa finally broke into Neuer 's goal after avoiding Jerome Boateng two minutes later.

After that, control of the game was completely in the hands of Bayern and Lazio failed to keep up with them and were lucky enough not to lose by a bigger margin.

These results clearly provide a big advantage for Bayern who will then act as host to host Lazio for the second leg which is scheduled to take place on 17 March.