Bayern Munich vs Lazio LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Harry Kane scores crucial brace
Bayern Munich 3-0 Lazio (3-1 on aggregate): Kane scored his most important goals since arriving in Germany as Thomas Tuchel’s side avoided an upset and reached the quarter-finals
A crucial double from Harry Kane helped steer Bayern Munich through to the Champions League quarter-finals and avoid an upset against Lazio to keep their hopes of winning a trophy this season alive.
Bayern trailed Lazio after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Italy, but the German side turned the tie around at home through headers from England captain Kane and Thomas Muller before half-time.
Kane then added his second of the night, and 33rd Bayern goal in 33 appearances this season, to ensure Thomas Tuchel’s side progressed to the last eight ahead of the quarter-final draw next Friday.
Lazio barely offered a threat after going behind, but the Italian side missed a golden opportunity moments before Kane’s opener when Ciro Immobile headed wide from close range.
Bayern trail Bayer Leverkusen by 10 points in the Bundesliga, with 10 games remaining, while they are already out of the German Cup. The Champions League is therefore their best chance of avoiding a first trophyless season since 2012.
Folllow live updates from the match in tonight’s live blog and and get the latest Champions League odds and tips here.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Lazio (0-1)
6 mins: Apart from Kane and Dier, there are quite a few former Premier League faces on display tonight. Guendouzi is one of them and goes for Lazio with a snatched effort that is dragged wide of the post. Then Sane fires straight at Provedel at the other end.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Lazio (0-1)
4 mins: Kimmich has been switched out to the right tonight and puts in a dangerous ball towards Kane that Lazio are able to clear.
Sarri’s team have built their Champions League campaign on the defence, with four clean sheets in their last five.
Bayern Munich 0-0 Lazio (0-1)
2 mins: A lively start! Sane looks to clip a cross to Muller, but it’s a touch too high. Then Lazio break and Eric Dier has to get across well to cut out the danger.
KICK-OFF! Bayern Munich 0-0 Lazio (0-1)
Deafening chants of ‘BAYERN, BAYERN’ as we kick-off, bouncing from one end of the stadium to the other.
That’s a lot of pressure.
Bayern Munich vs Lazio LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
Time for the anthems! It’s a big, big night for Bayern Munich.
It’s a packed house and the Allianz will be expecting a response.
Harry Kane looks ready.
Bayern Munich vs Lazio LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
Harry Kane has already scored 20 goals at the Allianz Arena since joining Bayern.
Boy, could they do with another couple tonight.
Bayern Munich vs Lazio LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
There is another match in the Champions League tonight, with Paris Saint-Germain taking a 2-0 lead to Real Sociedad.
Kylian Mbappe starts and captains PSG in what is widely expected to be his final season at the club. Can he lead Luis Enrique’s side to that long-awaited first Champions League title?
Bayern Munich vs Lazio LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
Bayern have only failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League once in the past 12 seasons (that was to Liverpool in 2019, who won it that year).
Defeat to Lazio tonight would be a stunning low for the club given their recent record in the competition.
They’ve not lost at the Allianz Arena in 13 matches in the Champions League,
Bayern Munich vs Lazio LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
Lazio were huge underdogs when they were drawn against Bayern Munich in the last-16, but they now stand 90 minutes away from a first Champions League quarter-final in 24 years under Maurizio Sarri.
Lazio are ninth in the Serie A table this season and look unlikely to qualify next year, but Sarri believes his side can continue their journey this season as they head to the Allianz.
“We are aware of how difficult it is going to be, which ought to give us that spirit of sacrifice. Nothing is impossible in football, this must give us courage. We must be fired up and angry,” Sarri said.
“Bayern Munich are a top-quality team and they can score goals easily. Thinking we could just sit there and defend for 100 minutes is a bad idea, we’ve got to have the courage to push forward.”
Bayern Munich vs Lazio LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
Tuchel - ‘We have no time to waste’
It has already been confirmed that Thomas Tuchel will be leaving Bayern at the end of the season - but if they were beaten tonight, would there be any point in staying on?
Tuchel led Chelsea to the Champions League in 2021 and says he is still motivated to help Bayern this year despite knowing his fate has already been decided.
“I know what we have agreed on and what we have communicated but you can be sure there is no one who has more ambition than me to win the game tomorrow,” Tuchel said.
“[Against Lazio] every minute will count. Patience yes, if it is about not getting frustrated if things take a bit longer. Patience no, if it is only about generating possession. We have no time to waste.
“Time is on Lazio’s side so we need to play with a cool head but still have emotion and with emotion step on the gas and play for goals.”
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