Flick Expects Bayern To Return To Form Against Lazio

Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick says his side must return to top form when they visit Lazio in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday.

“I will not be using any excuses,” said Flick about the players he is without.

“I am positive. It is a special game and I expect that the team is especially motivated.”

A 3-3 draw at home to Arminia Bielefeld and 2-1 defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt has seen the European champions’ lead cut from seven points to two in the Bundesliga.

“We know what has happened in the past days,” added Flick. “Against Lazio I want us to be there as a team from the start.

“We have an idea of how we want to play and we have to do that from the start.

“When the Champions League starts we have to be in top form. But looking at the past weeks there have been a lot of matches, a lot of strain on the team and some players missing.”

This will be the first time Lazio and Bayern Munich have met in a competitive encounter, although the Italians have lost just one of their six games against German opposition.