Hunting for business. There Lazio faces the Bayern Monaco in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, in search of a qualification that would rightfully enter the club's history. The mission, however difficult, no longer appears impossible as it did some time ago, when many indicated the Germans as the worst adversary to encounter. Things have changed, Bundesliga in hand, but this does not mean that the passage to the next round will be simple: a perfect Lazio will be needed, especially within the friendly walls of the Olimpico.
Lazio – Bayern Munich (21pm, Prime Video)
In fact, much of the Biancocelesti's qualification will be decided today, given that showing up at the Allianz Arena with a negative result would make everything damn complicated. Lazio certainly doesn't start as favourites, but they aren't beaten either: the Bavaria is far from the perfect machine created by its managers, as demonstrated by the two defeats recorded in the last five matches (3-0 against Leverkusen on Saturday and 0-1 against Werder Bremen on 21 January) and, more generally, the minus 5 from Xabi Alonso's league leaders. The risk of not winning the Bundesliga after 11 consecutive triumphs is real, which turns the Champions League into the main objective of the season. The climate around the Germans is hot: writings against Tuchel have appeared in the city and the press continues to support the name of Mourinho, the main candidate for next year. Now it remains to be seen whether all this pressure will end up crushing Kane and his companions, or whether it will turn into fuel. Lazio, obviously, hopes for the first hypothesis, but hoping for Bayern's difficulties will not be enough: first of all they need to play a perfect match, trying to hit the Germans in their weak points. In Cagliari, despite all the differences of the case, we saw a convincing and privateer version, capable of reacting to the harsh criticism that rained down after the defeat in Bergamo, which had brought Sarri to the dock. The coach, aware that the judgment on his work will first and foremost pass through the championship, has an opportunity to make history (by qualifying he would reach Eriksson's Lazio of 2000, the only one to reach the quarter-finals) and will try to seize it with all his strength .
Sarri: “The recipe to beat Bayern? Thinking it's not impossible"
“We must think that it is not impossible, otherwise in our heads we are already defeated – Sarri explained in the press conference -. They come to us as favourites, we have to face them with enthusiasm because it is a beautiful match to experience, to play with confidence: maybe they are really much stronger than us, but we have to try at all costs, have a lot of nerve, without second thoughts . On paper they are favourites, let's see what the field will say. When we have to suffer, we all have to do it together, there will be difficulties to overcome, this is inevitable when teams are of this caliber, but we will have to do the complete opposite of when we faced Inter in the Super Cup: there we were left at the mercy of events, here we must face them. I expect a strong Bayern, these are teams that can make some mistakes in the league, not in the Champions League."
Immobile: “We are ready and full of enthusiasm, Lazio can give me the European Championships”
“The group is doing well, they enjoy the match with enthusiasm – echoed Immobile -. We have to prepare it down to the smallest detail to present ourselves at our best and put a strong team in difficulty. We are not experiencing it with anxiety, on the contrary: the victory in Cagliari gives us a wave of enthusiasm that we must ride." The Biancoceleste captain then returned to the national theme and the dream of participating in the European Championships. “Spalletti? I haven't heard from him since the penultimate call – he explained -. The European Championship is definitely an objective, but I think step by step because putting things together, given the competitions we have, becomes chaotic. I like to do things seriously, done well: what was said for the Champions League applies, with a good championship you reach the national team."
Tuchel: “We have to make up for it after Saturday's defeat”
“We have to move forward step by step, also because we are coming off a heavy defeat against Leverkusen in the Bundesliga – Tuchel's thoughts -. If we want to reach the Champions League final we have to beat Lazio, it will be tough because they are a great team, despite the current ranking. Sarri is a very good coach, I followed him in all his previous experiences at Napoli and Chelsea, I really like his football. After defeats we have always shown our reaction and a critical attitude towards ourselves, even in the analysis of the matches. I expect a very strong Lazio, I saw how they played in the derby against Roma: at the Olimpico there will be an important context on an emotional level, but we must continue to play our game and make up for it after Saturday's defeat, whatever the match will be, easy or difficult."
Lazio – Bayern Munich, the lineups: Vecino grits his teeth, Zaccagni doesn't recover
After the words of the day before, it is time to think about the pitch, starting with the choices of the two coaches. Sarri finds Patric again (for the bench), while Zaccagni will not be there: his return should be postponed to Sunday's match against Bologna, or at the latest in injury time on the 22nd against Torino. The Biancoceleste 4-3-3 will see Provedel in goal, Lazzari (ballot with Hysaj), Gila, Romagnoli and Marusic in defence, Guendouzi, Vecino (he will try to grit his teeth, otherwise it will be Cataldi's turn) and Luis Alberto in midfield, Isaksen, Immobile and Felipe Anderson in attack. Classic 4-2-3-1 instead for Tuchel, who will respond with Neuer between the posts, Mazraoui, Kim, Dier (favorite over Upamecano) and Guerreiro in the defensive department, Kimmich and Goretzka in the midfield, Sané, Muller and Musiala behind the lone striker Kane.
