Bayern Munich must swiftly dust off a crushing domestic defeat as their Champions League knockout stage campaign begins away at Lazio on Wednesday night.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were emphatically beaten by Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 on Saturday as Xabi Alonso’s majestic outfit opened up a five-point lead at the summit.

While Leverkusen’s advantage certainly isn’t insurmountable, Bayern risk enduring their first trophy-less season since 2011/12. They may have to embark on a quite incredible continental run to achieve silverware.

Die Roten were once again imperious in the group stages and rewarded with a round of 16 tie against Serie A middlers Lazio. After finishing second in Italy last season, Maurizio Sarri’s men have endured an indifferent 2023/24 campaign and head into Wednesday’s fixture eighth in their domestic table. They did, however, impressively escape from a tightly-packed Group E in second spot.

Here’s 90min’s preview of Wednesday’s Champions League bout.

Sarri has few concerns on the injury front. Only centre-back Patric is a doubt for Wednesday’s fixture. Mario Gila will continued at the heart of Lazio’s defence if the Spaniard isn’t deemed fit to start.

Young goalkeeper Davide Renzetti is suspended.

Experienced stars Ciro Immobile and Pedro are poised to make starts in attack.

Lazio predicted lineup vs Bayern (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Rovella, Guendouzi, Alberto; Pedro, Immobile, Zaccagni.

Tuchel will likely drift away from the back three which failed to bring any success in Leverkusen on Saturday. A return to the 4-2-3-1 is on the cards.

Joshua Kimmich and Raphael Guerreiro are among those that could return to the starting XI after appearing off the bench at the weekend. Thomas Muller could also make the team.

Bayern will be without wingers Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, as well as star left-back Alphonso Davies. Versatile Austrian Konrad Laimer could return to the matchday squad.

Bayern predicted lineup vs Lazio (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Mazraoui, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Kane.

Bayern will earn some respite on Wednesday against the slow and intricate nature of Lazio’s possession play having been torn apart by Leverkusen’s speed and verticality at the weekend. Their press should undoubtedly fare better in Rome, with Tuchel likely to be content with the hosts having their fair share of the ball.

The visitors could pick their moments at the Olimpico by pouncing on Lazio errors. This is far from a supreme Biancocelesti outfit and even if Bayern aren’t their vintage selves, they should be bypassing the Italians with relative comfort.