The collective power of Bayern Munich crushed Lazio in Rome (4-1) and the genius of Olivier Giroud allowed Chelsea to bring down Atlético de Madrid (1-0), with a magnificent return, Tuesday in Round of 16 first leg of the Champions League.
Giroud stunning
While Bayern knocked out Lazio, Atlético and Chelsea lulled viewers to sleep in Bucharest, where the game was relocated.
Diego Simeone's defense locked the match, Olivier Giroud, holder, was tied up by the Stefan Savic-Felipe hinge.
But the striker of the Blues released a brilliant gesture one of the rare times when he escaped the eye of the guards, a return of any beauty.
German referee Felix Brych and his assistants initially refused the goal for offside, depriving the match of its only spark.
But a long streak of VAR made it possible to verify that it is indeed the Madrid defender Mario Hermoso who touches the ball, and sends it in candle for the smash of Giroud.
Ex-Parisian Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea deserved their victory, for trying to play, especially in the second half.
Already surprised this weekend at home by the modest Levante (2-0), the leader of La Liga had a bad week.
The Blues are well placed to take their revenge for the 2014 C1 semi-final, where Atlético eliminated them (0-0 / 3-1).
Bayern too strong
Deprived of several holders (Benjamin Pavard, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller…), Bayern definitely has deep pockets.
The former Robert Lewandowski (9th) as the brand new Jamal Musiala (24th), barely 17 years old, each scored a goal.
"Lewa" climbs alone on the podium of the top scorers of the competition.
With this 72nd goal, he overtook Raul (71).
But Cristiano Ronaldo (135) and Lionel Messi (119) are too far.
Lazio, who had not reached this level for 20 years, celebrated this by offering gifts like at Christmas ...
An unfortunate pass from Mateo Musacchio allowed the Polish striker to open the scoring, then Patric hampered himself and offered a ball against Kingsley Coman who served Leroy Sané (42).
Finally Francesco Acerbi scored against his camp (47th), hypnotized by Sané's conjuring number.
Joaquin Correa (49th) saved the Lazial honor.
And to think that Bayern was not in great shape with a point taken out of six possible in the Bundesliga… But the Olimpico succeeded in Bayern, who had already passed a 7-1 to AS Rome of Rudi Garcia, in the phase of hens in 2015 (Lewandowski had already scored).
The holder can already think of the quarter-finals.
