The exceptional goalscorer Harry Kane, alongside his ambitious teammates, possesses a considerable opportunity to revive their illustrious UEFA Champions League track record by triumphing over Lazio in their second encounter, thereby advancing from the last 16 stage. bundesliga.com presents arguments supporting the anticipation of another exceptional European evening for the German champions.
King Kane
Bundesliga spectators and Bayern Munich enthusiasts have grown accustomed to witnessing Harry Kane confidently striking the ball into the net with remarkable frequency. However, it is imperative not to overlook the profound impact he has made. His remarkable tally of 27 goals in his initial 24 appearances in the Bundesliga positions him within striking distance of potentially surpassing Robert Lewandowski’s historical record for most goals scored in a single Bundesliga season, an achievement of unparalleled magnificence.
Kane is poised to exhibit his exceptional talent once more on the esteemed platform of the UEFA Champions League. While his contribution of four goals for Bayern in the group stage, including a brace in a crucial 2-1 victory over Galatasaray, was commendable, the English captain undoubtedly harbors ambitions of surpassing even loftier milestones in the tournament. Thus far, no player has exceeded five goals in this season’s Champions League, presenting Kane with an opportunity to vie for the title of top scorer for the first time. Although Bayern must overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg, Kane’s demonstrated prowess in front of goal, epitomized by his remarkable brace in a 2-1 triumph over RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 23, augurs well for their advancement to the subsequent round.
Moreover, Kane’s tally of 25 goals in the competition positions him just five goals shy of Wayne Rooney, the highest-scoring Englishman in Champions League history. Supported by a formidable ensemble cast including talents such as Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané, and the perennially influential Thomas Müller, who boasts an impressive 53 goals in the competition, Kane appears poised to assume the mantle of Bayern’s leading marksman in due course.
Advantage Allianz Arena
Amidst Bayern’s recent downturn in form, characterized by three consecutive away defeats and a draw in Freiburg on Friday, one critical aspect often overlooked is the team’s enduring prowess when playing in front of their home crowd. Despite their recent struggles, the Bundesliga champions have maintained an impressive unbeaten streak of 13 home matches in the UEFA Champions League, during which they have netted an astonishing 40 goals, averaging over three goals per match.
It comes as little surprise that Harry Kane has found the back of the net predominantly in Munich this season, with 17 of his Bundesliga goals and three out of his four Champions League goals for Bayern being scored on home turf.
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern football, there remains a notable contrast between the challenges posed by hosting continental opponents and traveling to foreign destinations midweek. However, it would be remiss to suggest that the Bundesliga champions were thoroughly outplayed in Rome during the first leg, considering their 17 shots compared to Lazio’s 11 and their 61% possession, indicating a strong argument for Bayern’s superiority on the pitch.
As Bayern Munich returns to their formidable best on their familiar home ground, buoyed by the unwavering support of their loyal fans, the gap between the two sides could potentially widen into an insurmountable chasm.
Tuchel aiming for fond farewell
Thomas Tuchel, who assumed the role of Bayern Munich’s coach during the Champions League knockout stages last season, is poised to utilize his tactical prowess to steer the team deep into the competition in his final term at the helm of the Bavarian club. Regarded as a distinguished figure among football coaches, Tuchel boasts a proven track record in the Champions League, having led Paris Saint-Germain to the 2020 final and guided Chelsea to victory in 2021.
Following the narrow defeat in Rome, Tuchel is expected to have gleaned valuable insights, and with the impending conclusion of his tenure alleviating some of the pressure, it is anticipated that he will devise a winning strategy to spur Bayern to triumph on their home turf.
Romans don’t take to the road
An evident lesson derived from the initial fixture on Valentine’s Day is the capability of Lazio to produce exceptional performances within the lively ambiance of Stadio Olimpico. However, an analysis of the Serie A standings implies that Maurizio Sarri’s squad poses a lesser threat when competing away from the confines of the Italian capital.
Throughout the current season, the team has suffered defeat in seven out of their 14 away fixtures in Serie A, along with losses in two out of three outings during the group stage of the Champions League. A review of Lazio’s historical away matches in European competitions presents a gloomy picture for the Roman side. Merely one victory has been secured in their last 12 away encounters in the Champions League, including three unsuccessful ventures to Germany during which they lost to Bremen in 2007 and Bayern in 2021, while drawing with Dortmund in 2020.
This downward trajectory extends to the UEFA Europa League, with just one triumph recorded in their most recent 12 away fixtures. Additionally, Lazio remains winless in two trips to the Conference League. Given this disheartening trend, it appears highly improbable for Lazio to stage an upset in Munich without a remarkable deviation from their historical performance.
Nothing beats experience
Five members of the Lazio starting XI, who participated in a humbling 4-1 defeat to Bayern during the initial encounter of the 2021 UEFA Champions League round of 16, remain with the club. Despite being outclassed by their Bavarian opponents and ultimately succumbing to a 6-2 aggregate loss, the Roman side found solace in reaching the round of 16, a feat they had not accomplished since the 1999/2000 season.
Although the first leg of the current fixture yielded a more favorable outcome for the Serie A representatives, it is imperative to consider the divergent levels of experience and expectations between the two teams.
This season signifies Lazio’s return to the Champions League after their campaign in the 2020/21 season was concluded by Bayern Munich. In contrast, the German champions have progressed to the quarter-finals in the past three editions, clinching the tournament title in 2020, and are determined to advance further in the ongoing competition.
The discrepancy in experience is exemplified by the Bayern players who participated in the 2021 victory in Rome, including Sané, Musiala, Kingsley Coman, Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, and Manuel Neuer. The expertise possessed by these players, honed through navigating numerous tense knockout scenarios and achieving success, is invaluable in maintaining composure and orchestrating comebacks from first-leg deficits.