Trailing by one goal following last month's first leg in Rome, Bayern Munich will aim to overturn Lazio's lead in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday.
While the Serie A side are close to a first quarter-final appearance in two decades, the German champions have made that stage for three years straight and are ultimately seeking a seventh European crown.
Match preview
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Following an autumn stroll through Group A, where they finished top of the pile by eight points, Bayern Munich may have expected to make serene progress to the Champions League's latter stages, but they suffered a serious setback at Stadio Olimpico, losing 1-0.
The turning point arrived midway through the second half of a close-fought game, when Dayot Upamecano was sent off and conceded a penalty, before Lazio captain Ciro Immobile stepped up to coolly convert from the spot.
Soon after, it was announced that Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is destined to depart Bavaria in the summer, as his reign lurches towards a potentially messy conclusion.
Tuchel took Paris Saint-Germain to the 2020 Champions League final and guided Chelsea to the main prize one year later, but his time in Munich has not run so smoothly: Die Roten trail Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 10 points and have won just one of their last five matches following Friday's 2-2 draw at Freiburg.
Notable for the quality of its goals, including two stunners from Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel, that thrilling encounter in the Black Forest further dented hopes of defending the title and left the door open for Leverkusen to extend their advantage.
As Bayern have already exited the DFB-Pokal and lost the DFL-Supercup to Leipzig, the prospect of a trophyless season looms large. With silverware seen as a requirement from each and every season, the pressure is therefore on the six-time European champions to defy dwindling odds and become kings of the continent once again.
The German giants have previously progressed from all but one of their last dozen ties at this stage of the Champions League, and are also unbeaten in 13 home matches in the competition, of which they have won 10.
However, history suggests staging a second-leg comeback may not be so straightforward: Bayern have been eliminated from each of their last seven Champions League ties when losing the first leg.
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Back in the Champions League's knockout phase after an eventful journey through Group E - the highlight being Ivan Provedel's unlikely late equaliser against Atletico Madrid - Lazio are now 90 minutes, or possibly a little more, away from the quarter-finals.
Maurizio Sarri's men secured the Rome club's third appearance in the latter stages, and Immobile's penalty puts them in charge of the tie heading to Bavaria.
On both previous occasions they reached this point of UEFA's top club tournament, Lazio were eliminated - by Valencia in 2000, and then Bayern Munich in 2021. Three years ago, Bayern won both legs of their last-16 contest, but Biancocelesti fans can now dream of knocking out one of Europe's elite.
Across all continental competitions, Lazio have progressed from 12 of their last 13 knockout ties after winning the first leg; however, Sarri's side have lost half of their away fixtures in Serie A this season and do not tend to travel well.
Still in the Coppa Italia, after booking a semi-final spot at the expense of city rivals Roma, Lazio are trailing behind Italy's top six, following losses to fellow European contenders Fiorentina, Bologna and Atalanta BC last month.
Friday's chaotic defeat to AC Milan kicked off March in miserable fashion, and the loss of discipline that saw them reduced to eight men cannot be countenanced in Munich, where the Biancocelesti face perhaps their toughest test of the season.
Team News
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While Dayot Upamecano will be suspended due to his red card in Rome, Bayern Munich can welcome back Matthijs de Ligt from a Bundesliga ban on Tuesday.
Thomas Tuchel still has a long absence list to deal with, though, as Sacha Boey (hamstring), Kingsley Coman (knee), Noussair Mazraoui (hamstring) and Bouna Sarr (knee) are all unavailable; Leroy Sane (groin) and Serge Gnabry (thigh) could be involved if passed fit.
Young star Jamal Musiala should make his 30th Champions League appearance, while Mathys Tel was given his first Bundesliga start of the season on Friday evening - after 19 cameos as a substitute - and could also play a part in Harry Kane's supporting cast.
Kane has been directly involved in 19 goals from as many Champions League home games to date; however, he has failed to score even once in three knockout appearances on home turf.
Meanwhile, captain Ciro Immobile is Lazio's all-time leading scorer in European competition with 26 goals, though the Italy striker averages just one every 231 minutes away from home, compared to one every 85 minutes at Stadio Olimpico. He will replace Taty Castellanos up front.
In central midfield, Luis Alberto has created the most chances (21) and made the most line-breaking passes (62) of any Lazio player in the Champions League this season.
Juventus-owned Nicolo Rovella and Spanish centre-back Patric are the visitors' main injury concerns, but Mattia Zaccagni recently returned to action and was part of the front three against Milan.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Kimmich, De Ligt, Dier, Gurreiro; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Kane
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Vecino, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 Lazio (Bayern win 3-2 on aggregate)
Neither side is enjoying their best form, but last month's opener suggests they are not quite so mismatched as many pundits thought. Lazio have been better in the Champions League than in Serie A this season but rarely fare well on the road; even misfiring Bayern should have enough firepower to take advantage.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
