Italian journalist and director of Tg5 Clemente Mimun discussed Lazio’s Champions League Round of 16 draw against Bayern Munich in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Radio Incontro Olympia yesterday, as reported by La Lazio Siamo Noi.
Frankly, for the Champions League draw I hoped for better, I would have preferred Real Madrid. The draw with Brugge was a wake-up call in my opinion, from there I understood that we would have been in trouble against Verona.
In any case, on Saturday we did everything we could, but I can see that our goalkeeper was also responsible for Radu’s goal, in my opinion he was fouled, honestly.
He commented on the strength of the Biancocelesti’s squad this campaign.
It hasn’t been a great year so far. Seeing Lulic out gives me a terrible discomfort and I’m afraid this will last for quite some time. Lazio with a full squad and players in form are competitive against anyone, but when they start missing a few pieces it’s difficult to move forward.
Lazio’s full midfield is comparable with the big international teams. It was nice to get through the group, but we also need a bit of good luck, which we have been lacking lately, look at Lazzari’s own goal on Saturday.
Finally, Mimum talked about the lack of fans and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
To all this I would add that for Lazio to play without fans is a huge deficit, before the lockdown they were the team that was most driven by the warmth of the fans. Empty stadiums are cold, when Lazio are not playing the atmosphere is such that I practically fall asleep watching football.
Lazio’s first leg against Bayern Munich will be in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on the 23rd February, before they travel to Germany for the return leg on the 17th March.