The Champions League last 16 continued on Wednesday as Lazio stunned 10-man Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain beat Real Sociedad in their first-leg ties.
The knockouts for Europe’s elite club competition got underway on Tuesday as Manchester City and Real Madrid recorded first-leg wins over FC Copenhagen and RB Leipzig respectively.
But Wednesday was all about the German and French champions and the former were shocked by Italian side Lazio as Circo Immobile netted in a 1-0 victory while Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola were on target for PSG in a 2-0 win.
Bayern host Lazio in the second leg on March 5 – the same night that PSG travel to Real Sociedad – as the battle continues for a spot in the quarter-finals.
After an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Bundesliga title rivals Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich were aiming to get back on track in Rome on Wednesday night.
It was not to be for Thomas Tuchel’s side, however, who largely controlled possession but didn’t have a single shot on target against a stubborn Lazio, with Harry Kane uncharacteristically missing a sitter from a few yards out, while Leroy Sane fired a free-kick just wide.
Lazio, managed by another former Chelsea boss in the form of Maurizio Sarri, always looked dangerous on the counter and their hard work eventually paid off in the second half.
Gustav Isaksen won a penalty after getting fouled by Dayot Upamecano, with the defender sent off for the studs-up challenge, and captain Immobile subsequently scored from the spot to send the home fans wild.
The Italians could well have extended their lead in the final minutes through Felipe Anderson and Pedro, but even a 1-0 defeat is enough to heap the pressure on Tuchel, whose team started the season as one of the favourites to win the competition.
In the night’s other match, Mbappe and Barcola gave PSG a two-goal cushion to take into their second-leg encounter against Real Sociedad.
The La Liga side almost took a shock lead inside the first minute as Andre Silva found space on the edge of the box but placed his shot just wide of the post, and five minutes later, Mbappe almost put PSG in front with only Alex Remiro to beat but the goalkeeper made a crucial save.
Real Sociedad had another big chance midway into the first half as Silva rose highest to meet a cross from the right but his header went just wide. PSG kept pushing, though, as Ousmane Dembele hit the side-netting before Barcola headed over from close range.
Mikel Merino hit the crossbar for Real Sociedad just before the break but after the restart, PSG looked stronger and it was their main man Mbappe who fired them ahead just before the hour mark, smashing home at the back post.
Barcola doubled PSG’s lead with a delightful finish as he drove into the box from the left before beating his man and sliding an effort through Remiro’s legs as it eventually finished 2-0 at the Parc des Princes.
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