Ciro Immobile converted a penalty to give Lazio a precious 1-0 lead over 10-man Bayern Munich, as Dayot Upamecano saw red in this Champions League Round of 16 tie.
The second leg will be at the Allianz Arena in Munich on March 5 and Upamecano will be suspended.
Mattia Zaccagni was injured and Gil Patric only fit for the bench, but Matias Vecino pulled out in the warm-up too, so Danilo Cataldi stepped in at the last minute. Bayern were coming off a heavy 3-0 defeat to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen that left them five points adrift, so confidence was low. Serge Gnabry, Alphonso Davies, Bouna Sarr, Konrad Laimer and former Juventus talent Kingsley Coman missed the trip.
Harry Kane scuffed off target from a very promising position in the opening minutes, while a Luis Alberto right-foot scorcher was not far off the near top corner from the edge of the area and Alessio Romagnoli’s header easy for the goalkeeper.
Leroy Sane fired wide after a complicated free kick routine, but Jamal Musiala turned just over from an excellent position after a well-worked passing move that included two back-heel flicks.
Lazio had the only shot on target of the first half and got another straight after the restart, as Luis Alberto’s inspired pass sent Isaksen through, only for him to prod the finish straight at on-rushing Manuel Neuer.
Elseid Hysaj limped off after a knock to the ankle, but the game changed on 67 minutes when Immobile went on a mazy run through a crowd of players, rolled it across for Isaksen, who was wiped out by Upamecano. The referee awarded a penalty and also a red card, as Upamecano caught Isaksen studs-up on the inside of the ankle.
Immobile kept his cool to convert, sending Neuer the wrong way to roll it into the near bottom corner and give Lazio the lead against 10-man Bayern Munich. Maurizio Sarri didn’t see it, as he looked the other way.
All kicking off! 😮💨
Bayern Munich are down to 10 men after Dayot Upamecano's challenge, which caused the Lazio penalty saw him sent off 🟥#UCL pic.twitter.com/E6o31YaJy8
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2024
It was Immobile’s ninth goal in just 12 career Champions League appearances for Lazio.
Manuel Lazzari charged down a Kane effort and Felipe Anderson could’ve made it 2-0, but wanted an extra touch and allowed former Napoli defender Kim Min-jae to make the block.
Pedro also failed to make the most of a promising move by firing straight at Neuer, as it ended without Bayern getting a single shot on target.
Lazio 1-0 Bayern Munich
Immobile pen 69 (L)
Sent off: Upamecano 67 (B)
Match statistic
