Bayern Munich 2-1 Lazio (6-2 on agg): Champions League holders cruise into quarter-finals as Robert Lewandowski and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting complete the job in second leg
- Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring from the penalty spot in 33rd minute
- Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting then doubled Bayern’s lead with a delicate finish
- Lazio grabbed a consolation away goal in the tie through Marco Parolo late on
- Bayern, along with Man City, will be the teams most clubs will want to avoid
Holders Bayern Munich cruised through to the Champions League quarter finals for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons after beating Lazio 2-1 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday to secure a 6-2 aggregate victory.
Leading 4-1 from the first leg in Rome, Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Bayern from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, his 39th goal of the season in all competitions, to virtually end Lazio’s hopes.
The German champions took their foot off the gas before substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, having replaced Lewandowski, added the second goal in the 73rd minute. Marco Parolo headed a late consolation for Lazio.
Bayern Munich cruised into the Champions League quarter finals after coasting past Lazio
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting put Bayern 2-0 ahead in second leg against Lazio on Wednesday
Bayern joined fellow German side Borussia Dortmund in the last eight and Lazio’s exit means no Italian team will compete in the Champions League quarter finals, with Juventus and Atalanta having also exited at the last-16 stage.
Alexander Nuebel replaced the ill Manuel Neuer in goal for Bayern, but with Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi surprisingly leaving the club’s top scorer Ciro Immobile out, the stand-in keeper was rarely tested.
Although Lazio were facing a near impossible task – no side in European Cup history has progressed from a knockout tie after losing the first leg by three or more goals at home – Bayern named a strong starting side.
Robert Lewandowski celebrates after netting from the penalty spot at the Allianz Arena
The Polish striker sends the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Bayern 1-0 up on the night
Hansi Flick’s side, along with Manchester City, are the teams to avoid in the quarter finals
A clumsy challenge from Vedat Muriqi on Leon Goretzka gifted Bayern the penalty which Lewandowski converted, his fifth Champions League goal of the season, and the rest of match was a cruise for the Bundesliga leaders.
Lewandowski went within inches of his 40th of the season in the second half before being withdrawn.
Choupo-Moting found the net two minutes after coming on, ensuring Bayern made it 19 games unbeaten in the Champions League.
Parolo did give Lazio something to take back to Italy in the 82nd minute when he headed home from Andreas Pereira’s free kick, but Bayern never looked in any danger of making a surprise exit.
Marco Parolo (right) celebrates after grabbing a late consolation goal for the Serie A outfit
Parolo heads home Lazio’s consolation in the 81st minute of the second leg on Wednesday
