LAZIO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Lazio are back to winning ways after a poor run of three defeats in all competitions following the 3-2 win at home to bottom club Crotone on Friday night. The Italian capital club had suffered two league defeats and one Champions League losson the bounce before the Crotone game, which ended in a five-goal salvo. Lazio were able to end on the right side of the thriller to claim three valuable points in their chase for a place in the Champions League next season. Lazio will have to finish in the top four places on the Italian Serie A table at the end of the season or win the Champions League if the club wants to play in Europe's premier club competition next season.
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva was part of the Lazio squad that beat Crotone at home on Friday night. Lucas Leiva played 70 minutes of the game before he was replaced by fellow midfielder Gonzalo Escalante. Lazio are next in action against Bayern Munich away from home in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash and Lucas Leiva is expected to retain his place in the starting XI for the game against the Bavarian giants, who are also the Champions League holders. Bayern Munich are the overwhelming favourites to book their place in the quarterfinals after they beat Lazio 4-1 away from home. To this effect, Lazio have a difficult task of scoring four goals without reply at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night. The Crotone game served as a good preparation for Lucas Leiva and Lazio ahead of the Bayern game but the Germans are a different proposition altogether. The win over Crotone ensured that Lazio remain six points off Atalanta in the final place for a Champions League spot next season having played a game less than their fellow Champions League campaigners for this season.