Bayern must avoid chaos, PSG eye first quarter-final since 2021
The Champions League round of 16 second legs are back. Bayern, with their backs to the wall, must respond at home against Lazio.
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Left adrift in the Bundesliga, 10 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich will have to do everything they can to save their season. And the Champions League is one of the Bavarian club's priorities. Hosting Lazio (20:00 GMT), who beat them 1-0 in the round of 16 first leg, the Germans have their backs to the wall. Win or go out. But elimination would almost certainly plunge the club into chaos. All the more so as Bayern Munich have not missed a Champions League quarter-final since 2019.
But is that enough? "To produce a top-level performance, we have to feel the pressure. We know we have to win, and against a well-organised Maurizio Sarri side. We hope the fans and the atmosphere at home will push us to reach our goal, which is this win by a two-goal margin", said Thomas Tuchel.
At the other end, Lazio have not reached the next stage for 24 years. An eternity! What's more, Bayern are unbeaten in their last 13 home matches in the Champions League (10 wins, 3 draws). That looks daunting for the Italians."We have to be brave and determined. We will have to suffer and make sacrifices. In football, nothing is impossible and that should give us courage. Bayern have incredible quality. They score goals with great ease, so we have to fight and give everything in defence, but also have the courage to go and hurt them up front. We can't defend for 100 minutes", admitted Maurizio Sarri, coach of Lazio.
Parisians looking to finish the job
With a comfortable 2-0 cushion from the Champions League round of 16 first leg, Paris Saint-Germain head to Spain under little pressure. Especially as their opponents, Real Sociedad, are stumbling badly in La Liga at the moment, with consecutive defeats. PSG should see the job through and reach a first quarter-final, which has eluded them since 2021. "Second legs are always difficult. The first-leg result is good, but the task will be tough if we don't go out there with the right mindset and stay focused. I just hope the team will rise to the occasion, as we have done all season long. It's a game we have to win", said Paris coach Luis Enrique.
"I will ask the team to show personality. We showed in Paris that we were able to deal with the situation. For our part, we will do everything we can to get there. I want the best atmosphere, on and off the pitch. It won't be easy, but we are full of hope. The important thing is to compete and not lose hope", replied his Spanish counterpart, Imanol Alguacil.
Jim CEESAY