“Ken’s timely goals in the 32nd and 33rd minutes set the stage for Bayern’s decisive victory over Lazio in Rome, Champions League. overturning a narrow 1-0 deficit from the first leg of the round of 16 and clinching a commanding 3-1 aggregate win.” He’s done it again!
In Short
Bayern’s Champions League entry
Thanks to Harry Ken’s two goals, Bayern Munich secured entry into the Champions League quarterfinals by defeating Lazio 3-0 on Tuesday.
Ken’s 32nd and 33rd goals of the season for Bayern ensured the Bavarian powerhouse recovered from a 1-0 deficit in the first leg of the last 16 tie in Rome to win 3-1 over two legs.
The man of the match Ken said, “It was a perfect night for us.”
Thomas Tuchel, the coach of Bayern, will feel less pressure after this victory. He had previously declared his early exit from the squad following three straight losses, including a loss in Rome.
05.03.2024
— Ultrasshop.com (@ultrasshopcom) March 5, 2024
performance Bayern Munich🇩🇪 against Lazio🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Ku5PJF2kkd
Tuchel’s Future
Bayern’s new sporting director Max Eberl had said before Tuesday’s game that even if the team lost, Tuchel would remain in charge, but there was a feeling that a loss could have seen the coach ousted.
Bayern, trailing 10 points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, was facing the possibility of its second consecutive elimination in this phase of the Champions League in 12 matches.
Bayern chairman Herbert Hainer said, “If we had been eliminated tonight, it would have been very unfortunate.”
Ken broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Serge Gnabry found himself near Lazio’s box. Thomas Muller headed Rafael Guerreiro’s cross wrongly, and Ken threw himself at the ball to score past Lazio’s goalkeeper Ivan Provedel.
Rewatch Harry Kane's goal against Lazio from the audience's perspective#BayernMunich #BAYLAZ #Lazio pic.twitter.com/qvvqY1JhEl
— Sports channel (@SportsCN2) March 6, 2024
Muller’s Breakthrough
Just before the break, Muller had a chance to score with a header after a corner in the stoppage time of the first half. Ken settled the match in the 66th minute, firing in on the rebound after Leroy Sane saved Provedel’s effort. This was the England captain’s sixth goal of the season in the Champions League.
Nineteen-year-old Provedel kept Bayern ticking from midfield with his checks and precise passes, while Joshua Kimmich’s return from the right flank eased the defensive burden on the team. Sane, who missed playing in a 2-2 draw with Freiburg over the weekend due to a knee issue, returned sufficiently fit to start.
Serge Gnabry’s last-minute entry
Bayern forward Serge Gnabry made a last-minute entry after missing out since December due to a thigh injury. Before the game, Bayern’s club number 12 fan group organized an impressive choreography, displaying Munich’s heraldic image on a banner with the city’s name.
Among nearly 100 Lazio fans was an Italian supporter who was arrested the night before for giving a Nazi salute in a beer hall where Adolf Hitler had founded the Nazi Party.”
