Maurizio Sarri feels ‘satisfaction’ at beating Bayern Munich and explains his tactical approach, but Lazio also have ‘regrets’ at not making more of the extra man.
The Aquile emerged with a precious 1-0 first leg victory in the Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Stadio Olimpico, made all the more remarkable considering Matias Vecino pulled out in the warm-up, forcing Danilo Cataldi to step in.
“It was a victory earned with application, effort and suffering,” Sarri told Amazon Prime Video Italia.
“There is great satisfaction at beating one of the best teams in Europe, but also regrets that we wasted opportunities late on.
“We moved throughout the game like an entity with one mind. It was normal to have moments of suffering within it, but we also had lots of scoring opportunities. Fortunately, we converted one of them.”
The game turned when Dayot Upamecano saw red for clattering Gustav Isaksen on the ankle, which allowed Ciro Immobile to convert a penalty.
Sarri did not see that, as he turned the other way during the spot-kick, but Immobile sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way.
“In the final 15 minutes, we seemed more worried about bringing home the victory that making it an even wider advantage.”
The second leg is on March 5, but even without the red card and penalty, Bayern Munich failed to get a single shot on target and Ivan Provedel was never tested.
On the other hand, Neuer did have to make saves on Pedro and Isaksen.
“We had decided to lower the pressing level, as at times they pushed us back even more than I had expected. We chose not to get too stretched out, as they can attack with so many players on the counter.”
This is only the second time that Lazio have won a Champions League knockout game, after beating Valencia 1-0 in 2000.
The result leaves Thomas Tuchel under serious pressure going into the second leg, but Sarri is not concerned.
“Tuchel has won far more than me, so he will know what to do. Bayern are a strong team and I was impressed by several of their players who came off the bench, for instance Tel.”
#UCL | @OfficialSSLazio, le parole di #Sarri dopo la vittoria contro il @FCBayern in #ChampionsLeague: "Grande soddisfazione, ma anche rammarico: sprecate tante occasioni"https://t.co/BaKybJZEDT
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 14, 2024
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