Harry Kane insists Bayern Munich ‘are not out of it’ after losing to Lazio in the Champions League Round of 16, but the statistics from their performance are shocking.
The first leg ended 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico and was decided by a Ciro Immobile penalty, after Dayot Upamecano saw red for a lunge on Gustav Isaksen’s ankle.
Even before that, Bayern Munich looked utterly toothless and it was their first Champions League match without getting a single shot on target since a 0-0 Round of 16 draw with Liverpool back in 2019.
It was even more damning considering Bayern were already under pressure after a 3-0 Bundesliga defeat to Bayer Leverkusen that left them five points adrift of the leaders.
“Really tough week. In the first half we started well and had clear chances, one for myself. In these games they’re big moments,” Kane told TNT Sports.
“The second half was disappointing. We came out with less energy and less confidence. We got punished. Once you go down to 10 men it’s always difficult.”
Coach Thomas Tuchel is now facing strong opposition and calls for his dismissal ahead of the second leg on March 5.
“We have to find it among ourselves. We’re still in the race for the Bundesliga and in this tie. We have to keep fighting,” added Kane.
“We’re in a difficult spell. We have to fight. We have to turn it round. We have big games and big things to fight for. We’re not out of it, we will never give up. We just need to turn it around. One game or spark can turn it round.”
Bayern Munich had not lost to an Italian side in 13 Champions League games, since their 3-2 home defeat to Inter in 2011.