With 4 first leg ties played last week, it was time for the other 4 first leg ties to be played this week as the Round of 16 first legs draws to a close. In Italy, Lazio who played their first knockout fixture of the Champions League 21 years, the last coming in 1999-00 when current coach Simone Inzaghi was their top scorer. They hosted Defending Champions Bayern Munchen in Rome but first we talk about Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea.
It was the first knockout meeting between this two since 2013-14 season when Atletico knocked out Chelsea 3-1 on aggregate in the semi finals. This two did meet in the 2017-18 Group Stage when Atletico finished third in the group and were relegated to the Europa League.
Despite back to back setbacks in the league, Atletico remained on top of the table, 3 points ahead of city rivals Real Madrid with a game in hand. Whereas Chelsea have remained unbeaten in the opening 7 matches under new boss Thomas Tuchel. They had dropped point in a draw against Southampton on Saturday which saw drop out of the Champions League spot.
Atletico Madrid created most of the early threats with both Luis Suarez and Thomas Lemar going close to opening the scoring. The lack of quality play though was clearly missing in the First half from both sides.
In such a tight margins of game, sometimes an individual brillance is what is needed to settle the game and Chelsea just got that. Their French International Olivier Giroud produced a moment of brillance as his superb overhead kick.
A pass was deflected by Defender Mario Hermeso, which was then latched on by Giroud. He produced a stunning acrobatic finish to put it pass Jan Oblak in the 68th minute.
The VAR though intially ruled out the goal for offside. However after taking a long look at it, the VAR angle showed it took a touch of Hermeso which made Giroud onside and the decision was overturned and the goal was given. Chelsea will take a vital 1-0 in the second leg which could prove decisive.
Meanwhile in Italy, Bayern Munchen thrashed the host Lazio 4-1 and almost certainly ending any hopes of a mircale comeback from Lazio. Bayern went 4-0 inside 47 minutes of the tie thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowki who has now surpassed Raul on the all time top Champions League scorer at 3rd with his 72nd goal in the Competition. He is now only behind the two modern time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
A goal for 17 year old teenager Jamal Musiala, made him the first player to be born in 2003 to score a goal in the Champions League. Leroy Sane added a third before his effort to find a teammate at the end of a counter attack was inadvertently turned into his own net by Francesco Acerbi. Lazio did pull one back in the 49th minute through Joaquin Correa but it does look like nothing more than a consolation.
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