Ivan Provedel explains why Lazio leave the Champions League ‘with a bitter taste in our mouths’ after the 3-1 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.
It was always going to be a tough tie test for the Aquile to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2000, but the 1-0 first leg win thanks to a Ciro Immobile penalty had given them hope.
That same hope seemed to drain out of the team after Immobile missed a diving header at the Allianz Arena and moments later Harry Kane put Bayern Munich in front instead.
Thomas Muller redirected a Matthijs de Ligt volley on the stroke of half-time and Kane added a third when meeting the rebound from Ivan Provedel’s save on Leroy Sane for a 3-0 result, 3-1 on aggregate.
“It is a pity, because up until the first goal it was a balanced match, and that is what leaves a bitter taste in our mouths,” Provedel told Sport Mediaset.
“It’s also a shame that there were four officials on the pitch and none of them noticed it wasn’t a corner for the second goal. However, we cannot cling to these incidents and must tip our hats to our opponents.
“When you play against teams of such a high level in the Champions League, details and incidents make the difference. You know that there are probably going to be few chances and you have to make the most of them. We did not do that and they did.
“It was similar in the first leg, as we could’ve scored more goals there too.”
At least Provedel made history in this Champions League campaign by managing to score a goal from open play in the opening 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.
“It is not much consolation right now, I’m afraid.”