Lazio are struggling in Serie A and are the underdogs against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but Thomas Tuchel warns Maurizio Sarri ‘is always ready to surprise you.’
The draw put these two clubs against each other for the Round of 16, as the first leg will be at the Stadio Olimpico on February 14 and the second leg in Germany on March 5.
“Lazio have a very experienced coach who is always ready to surprise you,” warned Tuchel in today’s press conference for Bayern Munich.
“Our objective is to qualify for the next round and it is positive that we are playing the first leg away from home.”
The only previous meeting between these clubs was in the Champions League Round of 16 in 2021, when Bayern Munich won 4-1 away and 2-1 on home turf.
The tacticians at the time were Simone Inzaghi and Hansi Flick, so a great deal has since changed.
“I never played against Lazio, we are looking forward to this challenge,” continued the Bayern boss.
“We must not let ourselves get taken in by the current Serie A table. Lazio are an important club with great fans.”
The Serie A form has certainly not been positive for Lazio, as they managed only six wins, three draws and seven defeats, in which they scored 16 goals and conceded 18.
However, they qualified second in their Champions League group behind Atletico Madrid thanks to three victories and a draw, losing away to Feyenoord and Atleti.