The percussionists in the Südkurve section played a traditional beat. On the field, the Bayern Munich players aggressively attacked in successive waves, while the crowd at Allianz Arena cheered and chanted along. And if one shut their eyes and didn’t dwell on it too much, it was feasible to envision a return to happier times when everything would eventually be okay.
“They are not, obviously. Bayer Leverkusen is dominating the Bundesliga, manager Thomas Tuchel is departing in the summer, and there is a valid argument for releasing around a third of his underachieving team with him. However, there is still a glimmer of hope for a shortened dream that continues to captivate their attention. Bayern is still in the Champions League. They still have unresolved matters and an attacking quartet that is worth braving through harsh weather to see. And they still have the talented Harry Kane.”
It would be quite ironic if Kane, who has never achieved a trophy in his entire life, was the one who led this team of consistent winners and natural champions to victory. His 32nd and 33rd goals of the season were crucial in securing their spot in the quarter-finals, along with an impressive display by Thomas Müller in the European competition. As Bayern continued to dominate, Lazio’s ranking as the ninth-best team in Serie A became more apparent.
If Bayern successfully navigate the next three rounds and make their way to the royal box at Wembley, they may look back on the two minutes that drastically changed the course of this match. Just as Ciro Immobile missed a clear header from six yards that could have given Lazio a 2-0 advantage, Kane headed Bayern in front from a shot by Raphaël Guerreiro that was not struck well. These small differences and crucial moments determine the outcome. Bayern understands well that in this stage of the season, you must take advantage of any fortunate breaks that come your way.
Müller scored a second goal right before halftime, by skillfully redirecting Matthijs de Ligt’s powerful shot. Kane followed up with a quick counterattack, easily tapping in Leroy Sané’s deflected shot. Additionally, Bayern had several more opportunities to score. However, the most significant development was the return of their trademark confidence and composure. The iconic Bayern teams would effortlessly dominate their opponents, leaving no doubt of their victory.
Tuchel stated that the team displayed commitment and control for the entire 90 minutes. Despite suffering a minor injury from kicking a box during his pre-match team talk, he praised the team for not making any reckless decisions. Instead, they strategically waited for opportunities to arise and had a clear understanding of when to speed up and when to be more cautious. The end result may have appeared effortless, but it was actually a hard-fought victory.
However, we must face the truth: Lazio was rather underwhelming in this game. Coach Maurizio Sarri had strategized carefully throughout the 130 minutes of this match, and it was working to some extent: defending in numbers and using the quickness of Felipe Anderson and strength of Immobile to counterattack. However, when they were forced to be the attacking team, they seemed to fade away into the darkness. Anderson was a fierce force on the right wing and Luis Alberto was the most active player in their midfield trio, but they were unable to produce a single shot on goal by the end of the night.
Sarri, in a desperate move, made a triple substitution at the 60-minute mark. The team’s captain, Immobile, who has scored 206 goals for Lazio in 329 games, was replaced by Argentinian forward Taty Castellanos, who has only scored two goals in 25 games. This substitution was symbolic of Lazio’s struggle to adapt and win in different ways this season. They have the worst record in Serie A for earning points after being in a losing position.
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As Lazio attempted to increase their attacking strategies by advancing their full-backs and taking more daring approaches through midfield, there was a noticeable sense of discord. The positioning was off, the dynamics were off, and Bayern quickly regained control of the game by pressuring high and dominating the available areas.
Bayern will face more difficult challenges in the future. Some of their key players, such as Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer, are underperforming. The duo of De Ligt and Eric Dier in defense appears susceptible to teams who attack with speed. However, there is still room for improvement and a chance for success.
“This night has the power to completely alter the course of the season,” stated Kane. For Bayern, it was a moment of healing, a chance to move on, and a brief opportunity to regain their title as champions.
Source: theguardian.com
