For FC Bayern, Wednesday’s match in Rome is also about making up for the bitter 3-0 defeat in Leverkusen. Jamal Musiala is expecting a special return – and possibly an anniversary
On February 23, 2021, Lazio Roma and FC Bayern met for the first time ever in the Italian capital, with FCB ultimately winning 4:1 in dominant fashion. A certain Jamal Musiala made his mark in the history books at the tender age of 17: In the 24th minute of the game, the high-class technician scored to make it 2-0 at the interval, making him FC Bayern’s youngest ever CL goalscorer.
“It was a really cool game for me, I had a lot of fun and was able to score my first Champions League goal,” the now 20-year-old Musiala, who has become an integral part of the Munich starting eleven, was quoted as saying on the record champions’ website. The game in Rome is still “one of the most important games I’ve played – it was a knockout game. “
Return to the Olimpico under changed circumstances
So now it’s back to the Olimpico in Rome, which is likely to have a significantly different atmosphere compared to 2021 – this time there are no coronavirus restrictions. “I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere and have already heard a lot about it,” said Musiala, who is about to celebrate an anniversary. If he plays in the “eternal city”, it would be his 150th competitive match for FCB (38 goals). But that’s not the only reason Musiala is looking forward to the match, as he admitted that he always looks forward to away games, which have a “very special atmosphere.”
A hot atmosphere usually doesn’t bother the record champions much either, as Manchester United (1:0) and Galatasaray Istanbul (3:1) have already experienced first-hand this CL season. However, Musiala knows that this is not a free pass for Rome and demanded: “We have to be 100% focused in every game.” After all, Munich’s goal is to get as far as possible, i.e. to the final at Wembley – the place where they were once allowed to lift the trophy into the night sky in 2012/13 (2:1 against Borussia Dortmund).
First, however, they will have to overcome Lazio – and that will be no easy task, as the Romans are only eighth in the Serie A table but are considered strong defensively. “When an opponent defends deep, there aren’t that many easy solutions, so we have to be creative,” said Musiala and directly revealed how to deal with the Italians: “Trust in our own processes, go into one-on-one situations and look for one-two passes.” Things that Musiala himself is pretty good at.
