Musiala Tops List of Top Contenders for 2022 Golden Boy Award As 3 Bayern Munich Players Nominated

Thomas Muller will exist involved for Bayern Munich against Cologne, Hansi Flick has confirmed, every bit the reigning Bundesliga champions aim to get their championship defence back on runway.

Muller tested positive for COVID-19 while away with the squad at the Club World Loving cup only is now clear of the virus, assuasive him to resume training at the club's headquarters on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, Flick confirmed Muller is to be included in the squad for Saturday's game at the Allianz Arena, with the pressure firmly on after two games without a win in the league.

Ahead of the 100th all-fourth dimension coming together with Cologne, Bayern have already lost twice as many games (2) in Bundesliga action in 2021 every bit they did across the entire previous twelvemonth, with RB Leipzig now just 2 points backside the leaders in the table.

"He volition definitely be role of the squad," Flick said of Muller on Fri. "Things went really apace with him.

"Yesterday he had a quick session. Obviously he trained at domicile, as much as he was able and allowed to practice. He'due south the kind of player who has a good foundation, so he will definitely exist a part of that [the matchday squad].

"I don't know if it will be possible for him to start or come off the bench, we haven't decided that still."

After a surprise 3-iii draw at home with Arminia Bielefeld following their return from clinching Guild World Cup success in Qatar, Bayern went downwards 2-i at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend.

They were impressive in wed, however, thrashing Lazio 4-1 in Rome in the first leg of their Champions League concluding-xvi tie.

"Against Bielefeld and Frankfurt, at that place were certain scenes we saw that indicated that better things were to come up, simply nosotros had missed players and had done a lot of travelling," said Flick, who revealed Tanguy Nianzou is expected to exist back after the international pause in March. "I don't desire to apply that as an alibi, though.

"It was important for us to play in the Champions League against an opponent we respected. Nosotros followed our plan with keen discipline, that'due south what I besides expect tomorrow against Cologne.

"I await the team to show great willpower and a great willingness to win that game. Nosotros want to continue and play the manner we did against Lazio, that's our job."

Jamal Musiala scored in the rout of Lazio before announcing his intention to represent Germany, rather than England, at international level. Information technology now remains to be seen if Die Mannschaft coach Joachim Low calls upwardly the teenage forward for the upcoming World Loving cup qualifiers in March.

"It'due south his decision," Flick said of the choice made past Musiala, who turned 18 on Friday. "Obviously I'm a flake biased towards German football, so I think it's a expert conclusion for High german football game.

"I always said there is enough skilful talent in this country, you don't accept to worry virtually that. You take to brand sure they develop well.

"Now information technology's upwards to the coaches of the Germany squad. If he's invited to join the national team, and so we take that. I do think that is going to give him a push. On the other mitt, nosotros have a lot of internationals in our squad who can offer support to him, so I don't think information technology will be a trouble."

Thomas Muller returned to training at Bayern Munich on Thursday after the COVID-19 positive test that caused him to miss the Club Earth Loving cup final.

The all-activity attacking midfielder was dealt his coronavirus blow merely hours before Bayern beat Tigres UANL ane-0 to exist crowned social club globe champions in Qatar on February eleven, forcing him to self-isolate.

After two weeks away from the squad, and now clear of the virus, Muller was back at the club's preparation headquarters to be put through his paces.

Bayern announced on their website: "Muller was able to train at Sabener Strasse again on Thursday for the get-go fourth dimension after a period self-isolating at home due to testing positive for COVID-19.

"Following final medical tests in the morning, the 31-yr-former completed an private session on the pitch aslope squad training under the guidance of fitness boss Prof Dr Holger Broich."

Muller is enjoying a stellar flavour and is one of just six players from Europe'south 'superlative five' leagues to have reached double figures both in goals and assists across all competitions.

He has 13 goals and eleven assists so far, and has created 81 chances in all.

Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho is the only other actor from the Bundesliga to achieve the double to appointment, later 10 goals and 12 assists.

Lagging some way backside Muller in the Bayern ranks is Serge Gnabry, who has managed only half-dozen goals and 2 assists in 28 appearances, figures that are likewise significantly downwards on what team-mates Leroy Sane (G: viii, A: viii) and Kingsley Coman (G: 6, A: eleven) have achieved.

Gnabry has had more than playing time than his attacking midfield colleagues Sane and Coman, and he began the campaign with a hat-flim-flam against Schalke in Bayern'south opener.

The former Arsenal youngster was substituted off in the Club World Loving cup final because of a torn muscle in his left thigh.

Bayern said on Thursday that Gnabry had undergone intensive rehabilitation in recent days and was able to resume training with Hansi Flick'south squad.

That may come across him come into contention, perhaps along with Muller, for Saturday's Bundesliga dwelling clash with Cologne.

Bayern Munich rising star Jamal Musiala has chosen to play for Germany instead of England at international level.

The 17-year-old could make his senior debut as early as next month, with Germany head omnibus Joachim Low expected to proper noun a big squad for their three World Cup qualifiers against Iceland, Romania and Northward Republic of macedonia.

Musiala was born in Germany but moved to England when he was seven when his mother began a degree at Southampton University. He spent viii years in Chelsea'southward academy and played at youth level for England and Frg before returning to Bayern in 2019.

The 17-year-onetime has since broken into Hansi Flick's first-team plans and has already made 25 appearances in all competitions this season, mostly equally a substitute. He scored in Bayern's 4-1 Champions League terminal-sixteen kickoff-leg win over Lazio on Tuesday to become the youngest English player to score in the contest and the second-youngest of whatever nationality to get a goal in the knockout phase.

Speaking to The Athletic about his deliberations over his international future, Musiala said: "I've idea nearly this question a lot. What is best for my future? Where do I take more than chances to play?

"In the terminate, I just listened to the feeling that over a long flow of time kept telling me that information technology was the correct conclusion to play for Federal republic of germany, the land I was built-in in. Still, it wasn't an piece of cake decision for me.

"England is home for me. Information technology is difficult to find words for what England means for me considering I take so many memories connected to very positive emotions.

"They [Chelsea and England's Football Clan] are family for me, and I am sure that I remain a member of the family, even though I'm no longer there. I wouldn't be where I am right at present without the trust and support of Chelsea and the FA, throughout the difficult times and fun times. It wasn't e'er easy, just they made me the player I am now."

Depression, who met with Musiala in recent weeks along with national squad director Oliver Bierhoff, said of the news: "Evidently, we cannot give him whatsoever guarantees at the moment. That wouldn't be right.

"I think we will call him up in March considering we volition take a bigger squad than usual due to having three games in quick succession. We will be able to get to know one some other better during this time.

"I'm pleased that Jamal has decided to play for Germany in the time to come. I meet a lot of potential in him."

Robert Lewandowski heads a stellar listing of nominees for the Laureus Globe Sportsman of the Year Laurels after a aureate 12 months for Bayern Munich.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, Formula Ane world champion Lewis Hamilton and tennis cracking Rafael Nadal are also in contention. Joshua Cheptegei and Armand Duplantis complete the male person nominees.

Poland striker Lewandowski enjoyed a memorable 2020 for the German giants, with his impeccable performances helping Bayern to a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble.

Across the tiptop-five European leagues, no histrion could friction match Lewandowski's 45 goals scored in all competitions from January one to December 31 with Cristiano Ronaldo his nearest rival on 41.

In that 12-month period, simply Barcelona corking Lionel Messi (115) and Juventus superstar Ronaldo (85) registered more shots on target than Lewandowski'due south 83, while a shot-conversion rate of 34.09 was the 5th highest among players to score at least 20.

Reflecting his all-round contribution, Lewandowski recorded 12 assists in the calendar year, with squad-mate Thomas Muller leading the way on an impressive 21.

Unsurprisingly, Lewandowski won a fifth Torjagerkanone (awarded to the Bundesliga's top scorer) overall and a third in a row thanks to 34 Bundesliga goals in 2019-20, higher than an expected goals rate of 26.9. His 15 goals in the Champions League were also a contest loftier.

In a stacked deck, James is included after a year that saw him win a fourth career NBA title and outset with the Lakers, while he also claimed a quaternary Finals MVP honour.

Beyond half-dozen games in the Lakers' 4-2 triumph over the Miami Oestrus, James averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists, while he shot 59.1 per cent from the field and drained 41.7 per cent of iii-point attempts.

Mercedes driver Hamilton won a seventh F1 drivers' title in 2020 to match the overall record of the legendary Michael Schumacher.

During some other sensational flavour, the Briton reached 95 career race wins, which surpasses the previous benchmark of 91 set by Schumacher.

In a calendar year disrupted heavily past the coronavirus pandemic, Nadal still had personal reason to celebrate after winning a record-extending 13th French Open championship.

His triumph at Roland Garros means he now stands alongside Roger Federer on 20 g slams – the well-nigh achieved in the men's game.

Uganda's Cheptegei broke both 5,000 and x,000 metres world records in 2020, while Duplantis of Sweden bankrupt the indoor and outdoor pole vault tape.

Tennis' global superstar Naomi Osaka is nominated for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.

The Japanese was champion at the The states Open in 2020, which took her career slam tally to 3. She recently made that iv by winning the first major of 2021 at the Australian Open.

Lyon captain Wendie Renard is in contention after helping her squad to a 5th directly Women'southward Champions League title, while WNBA Finals MVP award winner Breanna Stewart is included later guiding the Seattle Storm to title glory.

Cyclist Anna van der Breggen – who won both the road race and time trial at the Globe Championships – is up for the prize, as is skier Federica Brignone, the first Italian adult female to win the overall World Cup.

Kenya'due south Brigid Kosgei completes the women's nominees subsequently winning the rescheduled London Marathon past more than three minutes.

Bayern, the Lakers and Mercedes are all up for the World Team of the Year Award, equally are Liverpool, who won a first English top-flying title in 30 years.

The Kansas City Chiefs brand the list later on winning a get-go Super Bowl since 1970, while Argentine republic's men's rugby squad are nominated later earning a commencement ever win over three-fourth dimension world champions New Zealand.

Patrick Mahomes' part in the Chiefs Super Bowl win earned him a nomination for the World Breakthrough of the Yr Award, with Iga Swiatek upwardly for the prize after winning the women's singles at the French Open aged 19, the youngest slam winner since 1990.

MotoGP earth champion Joan Mir, Tour de France victor Tadej Pogacar, U.s. Open male champion Dominic Thiem and prodigious Barcelona talent Ansu Fati complete that category.

What does the future hold for Andre Silva?

Silva has scored eighteen Bundesliga goals this season, second only to Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski.

He could find himself at Manchester United if Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly pursue a permanent deal for Luka Jovic.

TOP STORY – SILVA BOUND FOR MANCHESTER?

Manchester United could be offered the gamble to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Andre Silva if Edinson Cavani leaves Erstwhile Trafford, co-ordinate to The Lord's day.

Silva is taking the Bundesliga past storm this season, but Eintracht are reportedly looking to raise funds to re-sign Luka Jovic – who is currently on loan in Frankfurt – permanently from Real Madrid.

Portugal international Silva could get available if veteran forward Cavani departs after the one-time Paris Saint-Germain star arrived on a 1-year deal at the start of the season.

Circular-UP

- Eurosport claims Chelsea are growing increasingly confident of winning the race to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland. The Norway international forward has been linked with Madrid, Barcelona,Manchester City, Liverpool and United, besides as Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

-Everton accept joined United and Bayern Munich in trying to sign Norwich Urban center total-back Max Aarons, reports Fabrizio Romano.

-Tottenham will target Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope if PSG make a move for Hugo Lloris, says the Daily Mail service.

- The Sun claims United veteran Juan Mata is existence tracked by Serie A trio, Juventus, Inter and Roma.

Bayern Munich head charabanc Hansi Moving-picture show said the Champions League holders took a giant footstep towards the quarter-finals post-obit their four-one sabotage of Lazio.

It was i-way traffic in Rome, where Bayern fabricated low-cal work of hosts Lazio in the opening leg of the last-16 necktie on Tuesday.

Robert Lewandowski, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane were on target in the opening 45 minutes before Lazio's Francesco Acerbi turned the brawl into his own net inside two minutes of the second-one-half restart.

Joaquin Correa pulled a goal back for Lazio two minutes subsequently, merely Bundesliga champions Bayern are in complete control of the knockout clash.

Bayern are now unbeaten in their concluding 18 Champions League games (W17 D1) – the fourth-longest such streak in the competition's history and the longest since a run of 25 for Manchester United in May 2009.

"Anybody lived upwardly to expectations," Flick said post-match. "Nosotros turned in a very adept team performance.

"We wanted to put our opponents nether force per unit area from the get-go, it worked out well. We frequently won the brawl high upwardly the field, created chances and made the most of them. We're very pleased today.

"We desire to advance to the quarter-finals, and today nosotros took a giant stride towards our goal. But there's still a second match to play."

Musiala – simply the second 17-twelvemonth-old to start a Champions League knockout fixture for Bayern – enjoyed a memorable outing in the Italian uppercase, where he doubled the lead after Lewandowski's opener.

At 17 years and 363 days, Musiala became the youngest Englishman to score in the Champions League.

He also became the second-youngest thespian to score in the knockout stages of the Champions League, after Bojan (17 years and 217 days) netted for Barcelona confronting Schalke in the quarter-finals in 2007-08.

"We are very happy that he produced a good performance just like the whole squad. The goal shows what he's about. He is very good when he has the ball and tin play well between the lines," Motion-picture show added.

"He has a skillful feeling for open space on the pitch. He did well, just similar the other players. We are happy with his goal and satisfied with his performance."

Simone Inzaghi accepted the pressure of the occasion got to his Lazio players after being thumped 4-1 by holders Bayern Munich in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 commencement leg.

Competing in their outset Champions League knockout-round tie in 21 years, Lazio establish themselves three goals downwardly past half-fourth dimension against the German visitors in Rome.

Bayern star Robert Lewandowski pounced on a weak Mateo Musacchio backpass and rounded Pepe Reina for an early on opener – his 72nd Champions League goal, moving him ahead of Real Madrid great Raul and backside only Cristiano Ronaldo (134) and Lionel Messi (119).

Jamal Musiala doubled the lead fifteen minutes later to become the second-youngest goalscorer in the knockout stages backside Bojan, before Leroy Sane fired in number 3 at the cease of an set on that came nearly as a result of Lazio's Patric losing possession.

A bad twenty-four hour period for Serie A outfit Lazio got even worse 62 seconds after the half-time interval when Francesco Acerbi turned Sane'southward cantankerous into his own cyberspace under pressure from Alphonso Davies.

Joaquin Correa pulled one dorsum with a fine solo goal but, having seen his side send four or more goals in a home European match for just the third time in their history, Lazio head passenger vehicle Inzaghi was left to rue some horror defending.

"Unfortunately, we'd said this week with the lads that nosotros should play our game," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We felt the occasion too much. We were tense against the earth champions, but nosotros basically scored 3 of the iv goals for them.

"Disappointment in the locker room is natural, but it'south already an achievement for united states to be here. In games at this level, yous need to exist at 100 per cent, to exercise everything right and promise the opponents aren't at their best.

"If we await at it, we're talking well-nigh the Club Globe Cup winners and we scored three out of 4 goals for them. You can't make those mistakes at this level."

However, Inzaghi felt that the game may accept panned out differently had Lazio been awarded a penalty when trailing 1-0 for a claiming on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic inside the box.

"We knew the kind of squad we were facing. I think we'd started well before the error for the opening goal, and at that place should've been a penalty when it was even so 1-0," Inzaghi added.

"If the penalization had been given for 1-ane, that might've inverse the game, merely none of it went our way this night. We can larn from this experience in society to grow and be stronger in futurity."

Bayern are now unbeaten in their last xviii Champions League matches – the 4th-longest run in the competition's history – winning all but one of those games since the kickoff of last flavor.

Hansi Flick was delighted with the Bundesliga champions' display but is refusing to take a place in the quarter-finals for granted ahead of the return fixture in Bavaria on March 17.

"More often than not speaking everyone has met the expectations today. We won the brawl high upwards the pitch and put the opponent under pressure. We are very satisfied today," he said at a news conference.

"The Champions League is a special competition for usa.  Everyone was ready to practice something special. The win was well deserved.

"But nosotros now take to play the second leg confronting Lazio first. We desire to go to the quarter-finals and today nosotros have come up a lot closer to achieving that."

Thomas Muller has missed Bayern'due south final four matches afterwards testing positive for coronavirus and Flick is unsure if the assaulter will be back for Saturday'due south league visit of Cologne.

"In that location are still tests to be fabricated," Movie said. "He volition be back when the doc gives the green light. The earlier he returns, the happier we are."

Leon Goretzka is hopeful Bayern Munich team-mate Jamal Musiala will commit his international future to Germany following the midfielder'south latest eye-catching display.

Musiala marked his second Champions League start with a long-range strike in Bayern's emphatic 4-i win over Lazio in Tuesday'southward last-16 second leg.

At 17 years and 363 days, he is the youngest Englishman to score in the competition and the second-youngest thespian to cyberspace in the knockout stages afterward Bojan in 2007-08.

However, despite representing England twice at Under-21s level, reports suggest the youngster plans to pledge his allegiance to Germany at senior level.

Asked about Musiala's international time to come post-obit Bayern's win at the Stadio Olimpico, 29-cap Goretzka told Heaven Sport Federal republic of germany: "I hope he chooses Germany!"

Having already go Bayern's youngest-ever Bundesliga goalscorer in September, Musiala too now tops the same list in the Champions League with his quaternary goal for the club.

The Stuttgart-born prodigy scored from his but shot against Lazio and Goretzka was impressed by what he saw.

"He was extremely happy to play from the start," he said. "We tried to make him play freely and not worry also much. Joshua [Kimmich] and I protected his back and he did well."

Musiala'southward strike came afterwards Robert Lewandowski had opened the scoring for Bayern with his 72nd Champions League goal.

That moved the prolific striker ahead of Real Madrid great Raul in the competition's best list of scorers and behind just Lionel Messi (119) and Cristiano Ronaldo (134).

Leroy Sane and then added a third and played a cardinal function in Bayern's fourth, which was turned into his own net by Francesco Acerbi, before Joaquin Correa pulled one back.

Deutschland winger Sane played more than key passes (two) than whatsoever Bayern player and also contested the most duels (17) of whatever histrion on the field.

It is the third game in a row Sane has been directly involved in a goal and he is glad to have constitute his feet following a big-money motion from Manchester Metropolis last year.

"I'm an attacking player and desire to gear up impulses upfront," he said. "I desire to help the team. Today I call up I did quite well, but I'm not getting carried away.

"We were at that place from the beginning infinitesimal. Hansi [Moving-picture show] and the coaching staff pointed out to the states before the game that Lazio would make mistakes if you put them nether pressure. That worked right abroad."

With his latest strike, Sane has at present been directly involved in 10 goals in his last 10 Champions League appearances – seven goals and three assists.

Robert Lewandowski moved outright 3rd on the listing of all-time Champions League goalscorers as he helped Bayern Munich to a convincing 4-1 win confronting Lazio in Tuesday'south final-sixteen outset leg.

Bayern have stuttered domestically with a depict and defeat in their past two Bundesliga matches, but they eased to victory at the Stadio Olimpico, scoring three of their four goals in the start one-half.

Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane put the holders in consummate control after prolific striker Lewandowski had opened the scoring with his 72nd goal in the contest, moving him behind only Cristiano Ronaldo (134) and Lionel Messi (119).

Francesco Acerbi's own goal early in the second half gave Lazio an even bigger mount to climb and, while Joaquin Correa did pull one dorsum with a fine solo goal, Hansi Flick'south men are in complete command alee of the return tie in Bavaria on March 17.

The hosts, competing in the knockout stages of the competition for the first fourth dimension in 21 years, gifted Bayern the pb inside nine minutes as Lewandowski pounced on Mateo Musacchio's underhit backpass and rounded Pepe Reina for a simple terminate.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was unfortunate not then to win a Lazio penalty and Bayern were soon instead 2 up through Musiala's drilled endeavour from the edge of the box following a smart squad move.

Lewandowski was denied by Reina'southward leg, only the earth champions added a third after some more lax play from Lazio, Patric losing the ball to Kingsley Coman, who fired in a shot that Reina could only parry to Sane.

Simone Inzaghi'southward side were farther behind 62 seconds after half-fourth dimension as Acerbi turned Sane'southward cross into his own net within the six-yard box under pressure level from Alphonso Davies.

Just Lazio extended the Champions League record for both scoring and conceding in consecutive matches to xiii thanks to Correa's calm finish past Manuel Neuer afterwards slaloming through the opposition defence.

Correa was denied a quickfire second by a good Neuer save and Ciro Immobile was also thwarted by the Bayern goalkeeper, although Lazio's deficit did non increase as Reina produced another good cease to proceed out Lewandowski ten minutes from time.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski moved outright tertiary on the listing of all-time Champions League goalscorers with his strike against Lazio on Tuesday.

The 32-twelvemonth-old pounced on a poor backpass from Mateo Musacchio, rounded Pepe Reina and rolled the ball into an empty net to open the scoring in the last-16 tie.

Lewandowski now has 72 goals in UEFA'southward premier club contest, moving him higher up Real Madrid great Raul and backside only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Juventus forrard Ronaldo tops the list with 134 goals while Barcelona's Messi has 119.

Poland international Lewandowski reached the 72-goal mark in 95 matches, scoring 47 with his right foot, nine with his left, 15 with his head and i via other means.

Jamal Musiala went on to double Bayern's lead at the Stadio Olimpico with a strike from the edge of the box, making him the youngest e'er Englishman to score in the Champions League at 17 years and 363 days, before Leroy Sane fabricated it 3-0 prior to half-fourth dimension.

Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland should bring together Bayern Munich or go out the Bundesliga to further his career, Lothar Matthaus says.

The Norway striker scored twice in the iv-0 win over Schalke last weekend to accept his tally to 27 in all competitions this flavor, backside only Robert Lewandowski (31) among Bundesliga players.

Haaland likewise striking two in the 3-2 win at Sevilla in the Champions League terminal-sixteen first leg to become the first player in the competition'due south history to score as many as 17 goals in his first 13 appearances.

The xx-year-former just joined Dortmund concluding January simply is already existence linked with a mail-flavor move to one of Europe'southward major clubs.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in Haaland, who is speculated to take a release clause of €75million that becomes active in 2022.

Bayern great Matthaus thinks Haaland ultimately has 2 choices at this stage of his career: pursue a move away from the Bundesliga, or sign for the champions.

"At a immature age, he's a striker unlike any I've seen before: this goal tally, this power, passion, energy, too as quality," he told Sport1.

"He could follow in the footsteps of other great footballers of the last thirteen or fourteen years.

"He won't exist at Borussia Dortmund for life. He'll look for bigger clubs; he'll get a bigger wage. If he stays in the Bundesliga, there's only i step for him: Bayern."

Bayern take endured a dip in form of late, drawing with Arminia Bielefeld before a 2-1 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Those results have allowed RB Leipzig to shut to inside 2 points of the leaders, and Matthaus thinks the challengers have an advantage in the title race due to team depth.

Challenge a ninth title in a row for Bayern is "non a cast-iron guarantee", Matthaus wrote in his column for Sky.

He added: "It's already the case that [Bayern coach] Hansi Movie turns to the substitutes demote at critical moments and thinks, 'Who exactly can really assistance me at present?'.

"If the situation worsens in terms of personnel, the season could cease far less successfully."

Holders Bayern Munich look to motion another step closer to retaining their Champions League title when they confront Lazio, while Atletico Madrid and Chelsea do boxing in Bucharest on Tuesday.

Bayern cruised into the round of sixteen as Grouping A winners, claiming five victories and a draw in six games, and will be expected to knock Serie A side Lazio out, although they will arrive in Rome on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Lazio and the Bundesliga leaders will lock horns at Stadio Olimpico in the commencement leg, simply there volition be no abode advantage for Atleti when they accept on Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea.

Coronavirus-related travel restrictions meant the game was moved to the National Loonshit in the capital of Romania, which Tuchel believes will give his side an advantage.

Nosotros used Opta numbers to preview the two clashes.

Atletico Madrid 5 Chelsea: Suarez non even so off the mark

If history is anything to become by, it could be difficult to pick a winner in this tie as the two sides acceptwon two apiece and drawn threeof their previous European games - scoring 11 goals each.

Atleti have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for theseventh time in the last viii seasons. Chelsea volition attempt to progress past the round of 16 for thefirst fourth dimension since the 2013-14 campaign, when they lost to Diego Simeone's men in the semi-finals.

Luis Suarez has never failed to score or deliver an assistance in a Champions League season – this is his eighth campaign in the tournament. The striker hasnot scored or laid a goal on in his 4 Champions League games for Atleti.

Chelsea strikerOlivier Giroud constitute the netevery 28 minutes on boilerplate in the group stage this term (five goals in 142 minutes), the best ratio of any player to score more than once.

Among the goalkeepers to play at least three Champions League games this season, Chelsea'sEdouard Mendy has the best relieve percentage in the contest (94 per cent), just conceding from one of the 16 shots on target he has faced.

Lazio v Bayern Munich: Holders out to complete another Italian job

Lazio takejust lost one of their vi Champions League matches against German opposition (W2 D3) and remain unbeaten at home.

However, Bayern are unbeaten in their previous five Champions League away games against Italian sides (W3 D2). Their two visits to Stadio Olimpico in the contest have produced13 goals, including a 7-1 victory against Roma in October 2014.

The Bavarian giants have reached the knockout stages for the13th sequent flavour, but Real Madrid (24) and Barcelona (17) are on longer runs.

Bayern have also won xvi of their past 17 Champions League games (D1), with an overallgoal departure of +48(61 goals for, thirteen confronting) – that is iv more wins than whatever other side over that period (Paris Saint-Germain have won 12).

While Ciro Immobile – 8 goals in nine Champions League starts – will be Lazio's dangerman, Bayern's talisman needs no introduction.

Robert Lewandowski has 31 goals in 33 Champions League appearances since the outset of 2017-18, more than any other histrion – Cristiano Ronaldo is 2d with 29 in 34 outings.

Sergio Aguero is beingness targeted by 4 European giants, while Bayern Munich are looking at Christian Pulisic.

Aguero, 32, is out of contract with Manchester City at the finish of the season and his future is uncertain.

The forward has simply played nine games this season, merely he is nonetheless wanted by several European clubs.

TOP STORY – BARCELONA, JUVENTUS CHASE AGUERO

Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter are interested in signing Aguero, according to the Mirror.

Aguero has been at City since 2011 and is the lodge's all-fourth dimension leading goalscorer.

The Argentine republic international has struggled with injury and coronavirus this season.

Round-Upwardly

- Another player who has battled injuries this season is Pulisic. Todofichajes.com reports Bayern Munich have contacted Chelsea about a possible move for the former Borussia Dortmund star.

- Juventus want to keep Alvaro Morata. Goal reports the Serie A side are keen to extend the forward's loan for another flavour and are prepared to pay Atletico Madrid €10million.

- Barcelona seem set to sign a forwards ahead of next season. ESPN reports the LaLiga giants accept intensified their interest in Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.

- Struggling for game time at Manchester United, Dean Henderson could make a motility. Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham are interested in the goalkeeper, according to the Manchester Evening News.

- Hector Bellerin may go out Arsenal. CBS Sports reports the full-dorsum is eager to test himself away from the Premier League society and Paris Saint-Germain are ready to revive their interest.

Michael Ballack has no doubtfulness Bayern Munich volition tackle Lazio in a professional manner when their Champions League entrada resumes this calendar week.

European champions Bayern are aiming to take the next stride towards back-to-dorsum continental crowns when they travel to Rome for the first leg of a last-16 tie on Tuesday.

Hansi Flick's men accept been in poor form since their return from winning the Order World Cup in Qatar, slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on the dorsum of a 3-3 describe at home to Bundesliga strugglers Arminia Bielefeld.

Notwithstanding, Ballack feels focus will exist sharpened once more when Bayern are faced with Simone Inzaghi'south side, who lie fifth in Serie A.

"The papers make it clear who the favourites are to win this game. Just that sometimes makes it dangerous," Ballack told Stats Perform News.

"Although y'all have to say that with Bayern Munich, their focus, structure and mentality will brand it incommunicable to underestimate their opponent.

"This volition be 2 games where I recall they will be able to get through. The togetherness is clear, and their course is getting meliorate once again.

"That's why I think that Bayern will progress to the next round."

Experience could prove crucial, with Bayern into the knockout rounds for a 13th consecutive campaign.

In 12 of the previous xiv seasons they take progressed to at least the quarter-finals.

Hansi Flick expects Bayern Munich to be "especially motivated" for their return to Champions League activity and insists he makes no excuses for the team's recent dip in class.

Die Roten followed a comeback 3-3 draw against strugglers Arminia Bielefeld with a disappointing two-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend.

Those results have seen Bayern's lead in the Bundesliga trimmed to just two points, with RB Leipzig now inside striking distance in 2nd place.

On Tuesday, Bayern keep the defence of their European crown with the first leg of their concluding-xvi tie confronting Lazio in Rome, a lucifer head coach Flick expects to focus some minds.

"I'm non someone who looks for excuses. The showtime half was not good against Bielefeld and Frankfurt. We had a lot of games, but other teams did too," Motion picture told a pre-lucifer news conference.

"We demand to be in meridian form in the Champions League. These are special matches for united states and I'yard expecting the team to be peculiarly motivated.

"We have an thought of how nosotros want to play. We want to start showing that from the beginning of games. I have complete conviction that the team volition do that on Tuesday."

One of the few positives Bayern could take from the Frankfurt defeat was the render of Leon Goretzka, who has now recovered from coronavirus and a pocket-sized injury.

The midfielder helped contribute to an improved 2nd-one-half showing after coming on equally a half-time substitute and Flick intends for Goretzka to start against Lazio.

"You can't take information technology for granted coming dorsum from an illness similar that. He'll play from the start," he added.

"We'll run into how long it tin can hold out. We promise he can perform like he did in his 45 minutes against Frankfurt. He's good for our game."

Moving-picture show also confirmed heart-back Niklas Sule volition travel to Rome on Tuesday, adding: "We have a few players carrying knocks, Niklas Sule is 1 of them.

"We gave him a recovery day today and he'll travel tomorrow."

Pop Football News

Tags

Source: https://www.sportsmax.tv/football/itemlist/tag/Bayern%20Munich?start=675

Posted by: feldmanjudianob.blogspot.com

Share this post