Depleted Bayern make it look easy

Rome – Holders Bayern Munich brushed off their recent poor domestic form by throwing down a Champions League marker with an emphatic 4-1 win at Lazio in Tuesday’s last-16 first leg match, to take a “huge step” towards the quarterfinals.

Robert Lewandowski gave Bayern an early lead before 17-yearold Jamal Musiala scored his first Champions League goal in only his fourth appearance in Europe.

Stuttgart-born Musiala, who turns 18 tomorrow, is now the youngest English goalscorer in Champions League history.

A Leroy Sane strike gave Bayern a three-goal half-time cushion at Stadio Olimpico before Francesco Acerbi scored an own goal just after the break.

“We are a huge step closer to the quarterfinals,” Bayern coach Hansi Flick told Sky.

Joaquin Correa pulled a goal back early in the second half to give the scoreline some respectability for Lazio.

“We were aggressive from the start and went full throttle,” Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka said after his first game since testing positive for Covid-19.

“I am happy to have played in such an awesome game after a difficult few weeks.

“That was important after we had often been caught napping (in recent games). Things worked well, that was a first good step.”

Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio need a near miracle in the return game in Munich on 17 March to reach the last eight.

“Bayern are the world champions,” said Inzaghi. “They definitely did not need our mistakes to make it even easier for them.”

Flick pulled a surprise by starting Musiala in place of Thomas Mueller, who was sidelined after testing positive for Covid-19.

Benjamin Pavard was also out with coronavirus, while midfielders Corentin Tolisso and Serge Gnabry are both injured.

Bayern are now unbeaten in their last 18 Champions League games, with only a 1-1 group stage draw at Atletico Madrid in December denying them a perfect record.