Lazio vs Bayern Munich LIVE: Harry Kane seeking positivity in Champions League after Bundesliga blow – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

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Bayern Munich must bounce back from a damaging defeat to Bayer Leverkusen when they take on Lazio in the Champions League this week.

The German giants travel to Italy for their Round of 16 first leg having been dealt a huge blow to their chances of winning the Bundesliga this season.

Bayern are five points behind in the Bundesliga title raceCredit: Getty

Harry Kane and co are now under threat of missing out on silverware and going all the way in Europe might well be their best chance at a trophy.

After winning Group A with ease, they now take on Lazio who progressed through to the knockout stages by finishing second in Group E.

Lazio vs Bayern Munich: Kane’s curse?

Kane must be thinking that he’s cursed as his hopes of finally winning a title took a big hit.

The former Tottenham striker’s performance against Leverkusen last time out was labelled a ‘catastrophe’ as he only managed 18 touches all game.

Bayern have won 11 Bundesliga titles in a row, but their streak could well come to an end this season, just as Kane has joined them.

It leaves the Champions League as another way to get some silverware and the Germans have enjoyed a great campaign so far.

They are unbeaten in the competition and no player has been involved in more goals than Kane.

He has four goals and three assists in six games and he’ll be aiming to find his scoring form again as he returns to European action.

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Kane will want to put in a better performance than he did at the weekend Bayern Munich have won their last five UEFA Champions League games against Italian sides, and are unbeaten in 12 such games since a 3-2 home loss to Internazionale in March 2011. The only previous meetings between Lazio and Bayern Munich came in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League round of 16, with the German side winning both legs (4-1 away, 2-1 at home).

Lazio vs Bayern Munich: Team news

Mattia Zaccagni is an injury doubt for Lazio after missing their game at the weekend while centre-back Patric is also carrying a knock.

Nicolo Rovella is available to feature with his suspension only valid in Serie A.

As for Bayern, Kane will lead the line in a depleted squad.

Alphonso Davies, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are all out injured while Bryan Zaragoza is suffering from illness and may also miss out.

Tuchel is having to deal with injuries to key playersCredit: Getty

Harry Kane stands awkwardly as hundreds of Bayern Munich fans serenade him to the tune of Jingle Bells

Lazio are making just their third appearance in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, being eliminated from both of their previous such ties in the competition (1999-00 quarter-final against Valencia, 2020-21 round of 16 against Bayern Munich). Having been eliminated from four of their first five UEFA Champions League knockout stage ties against Italian sides (including the 2010 final against Inter), FC Bayern München have now progressed from each of their last three.

Lazio vs Bayern Munich: What has been said?

Kane is trying to stay positive heading into European action after a damaging defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

Speaking after the game, he said: “We didn’t play well with the ball.

“I thought the pressure, especially in the first half and even in the second half, we pressed them well, but every time we won it back we gave it straight back to them.

“We’re five points behind now but there are still a lot of games to go.

“This one hurts, we wanted a different outcome, but we have to focus on, first, the Champions League, and obviously the next game.

“There are a lot of games to be played and we have to try and make up as many points as we can, as quickly as we can.

“For us, we have to focus on ourselves, we have to improve, we have to get better. We know that.

“The games are coming thick and fast so we have to turn it around quick.”

Bayern are having to try and keep their heads upCredit: Getty Joshua Kimmich has made 22 line-breaking passes in the final third to Kingsley Coman in the UEFA Champions League this season – the most from one player to a specific teammate. Of the 10 players to have scored 5+ goals for Lazio in the UEFA Champions League, Ciro Immobile has the best minutes per goal ratio (99). The Italian has netted eight goals in 11 appearances in the competition for the club, with only Simone Inzaghi netting more overall (15 goals in 31 appearances).