THOMAS DOUBTS DECISION

LAZIO v BAYERN MUNICH

performance was analysed in front of the rest of the Blues squad afterwards.

Hudson-odoi was said to be “all smiles” in training on Sunday and yesterday. But the acid test will come tonight in Romania, where the winger is expected to start on the bench against Atletico Madrid.

“We decided to speak to him in front of the whole group,” Tuchel said. “Was it the right decision? I don’t know but it was my decision in this moment.

“We spoke as a whole group to not make it bigger than it is, because for us it was not a big thing. We had the reaction we wanted. He went back to a smile, and the next day was very, very good in training and today.”

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta said: “What was important was to see Callum’s positive reaction afterwards.”

LAZIO coach Simone Inzaghi conceded Bayern Munich are “almost unplayable” ahead of the two sides’ Champions League last-16 first leg in Rome tonight.

Holders Bayern travel to Italy having won six titles in the past nine months and progressed to the knockout phase of this season’s competition with 16 points out of 18 in the group stage.

“We know they are almost unplayable but, even in the past, we started underdogs and then surprised everyone,” said Inzaghi (right). “We are mature, have played many finals in addition to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. We will try to do our best as we always have.

“Lack of Champions League experience? We can cope with it. Matches like this one are why we love football so much.”