Sports Desk, Feb 15 (EFE).- Ciro Immobile scored from a penalty to hand Lazio a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16 match in Rome on Wednesday, inflicting more misery on the German side after a domestic setback.

Lazio’s Ciro Immobile (L) converts a penalty to score the 1-0 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg soccer match SS Lazio vs FC Bayern Munich in Rome, Italy, 14 February 2024. EFE-EPA/ANGELO CARCONI

Bayern came to the Olympic Stadium in Rome still smarting from their 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last weekend and left without healing their wounds after conceding a rare defeat in the first leg of their second-round match.

Lazio’s Mario Gila (L) and Bayern’s Leroy Sane (R) in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg soccer match SS Lazio vs FC Bayern Munich in Rome, Italy, 14 February 2024. EFE-EPA/ANGELO CARCONI

The German side, who had not lost the first leg in their last 11 round of 16 ties, played the last quarter of the match with 10 men after Dayot Upamecano was given a straight red card for a foul on winger Gustav Isaksen inside the box.

Bayern’s coach Thomas Tuchel reacts during during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg soccer match SS Lazio vs FC Bayern Munich in Rome, Italy, 14 February 2024. EFE-EPA/ANGELO CARCONI

Immobile stepped in to score from the resulting penalty, beating Manuel Neuer for his eighth goal in his last eight home appearances.

Bayern pushed for a late equalizer after conceding the goal but ended without a shot on target.

“It is the victory of application, of moments of suffering. There is satisfaction because we beat one of the strongest teams in Europe, but also regret because the scoreline could have been bigger,” said Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri.

“I liked the compactness and spirit of the team; we moved with one brain and that is important. We knew there would be difficult moments but also opportunities, and we took one.”

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel appeared inconsolable.

“We’re frustrated and angry about the defeat. I think we lost the game, I’m not sure Lazio won it. I’m not sure why we lost our conviction in the second half, but we did and then we fell behind,” he said.

“I can’t explain it because we told the team to maintain their intensity and be even braver going forward, but we seemed to lose face at the start of the half.”

Six-time champions Bayern now face a monumental task to overturn the result at Allianz Arena in the return leg on Mar. 5. EFE

am/pd