Immobile hands Lazio Champions League advantage over troubled Bayern

Italy forward Immobile slotted home the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 69th minute at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to pile pressure on Bundesliga champions Bayern.

The spot-kick was won by Gustav Isaksen who was clattered by Dayot Upamecano with a rash tackle which earned the France defender a red card and left Bayern a man down for the final 20 minutes.

Immobile's strike came days after he netted his 200th Serie A goal and allowed a raucous Lazio home crowd to dream of a first quarter-final in Europe's top competition in 24 years.

Lazio won the Italian title in 2000, when they fell to Valencia in the last eight, and in order to emulate that star-studded team Maurizio Sarri's side still need to hold out in Bavaria next month.

However, Bayern are a club in a slump and a toothless display in the Italian capital will do nothing to help embattled coach Thomas Tuchel. The manager is under pressure as Wednesday's defeat came after a 3-0 thumping at Bayer Leverkusen which left Bayern five points off the pace in the German title race.

The Champions League looked like Bayern's last chance at a trophy this season but Immobile put those hopes in serious doubt.

 

February 14, 2024