Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Lazio; Franck Ribery to Eintracht Frankfurt?; Manchester United looking at Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho once again; and MORE!

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 2-1 win over Lazio (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich handled its business with a strong 2-1 win over Lazio in the Champions League. While it was not an overly thrilling game for the Bavarians, they never really were seriously threatened in clinching the victory (6-2 on aggregate). Here are some quick hitters on the match:

• There was long feeling out process in this game for both squads. Bayern Munich was not tentative by any means, but Lazio was much more disciplined and focused early on.
• Vedat Muriqi’s tackle of Leon Goretzka on Joshua Kimmich’s corner attempt was a killer for Lazio. Giving Robert Lewandowski a chance from the spot is never a good idea and the Polish Hitman made them pay by putting Bayern Munich up 1-0.
• Overall, the first half was largely uneventful and there were several times where Hansi Flick appeared to be annoyed with some of the decisions being made by his players.
• Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich completely bossed the midfield. Goretzka was a dominant force in the first half alone:

• On the night Goretzka totaled 64 minutes, completed 98% of his passes, won three of his six duels, and only lost possession twice. As for Kimmich, he was somehow even better than Goretzka. Kimmich tallied 71 minutes, completed 89% of his passes, had four key passes, completed all six of his dribble attempts, and won eight of his nine ground duels.
• It is phenomenal to watch the duo work so well together in the midfield.
• Bayern Munich’s second goal from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was a sensational display of passing from David Alaba and Kimmich.
• To me, it looked like Javi Martinez lost his mark on Lazio’s goal, but there was some debate it might have been Niklas Süle. I saw Süle marking the player in front of him. Regardless, it did not end up killing Bayern Munich. It only hurt Alexander Nübel’s chanced for a clean sheet.
• Nübel asserted himself nicely in the game. Sure, in retrospect, he might have chosen to be more aggressive on Lazio’s goal, but he was solid on the night.
• Alaba had a very nice game as well. While he has been a bit maligned this season, the Austrian proved once again that he has world class ability.
• The game was panned a bit on social media for the lack of excitement, but I’d say it more to do with the result of the first leg than the actual performance on the pitch.
• Overall, Bayern Munich did exactly what it needed to do and now the Bavarians are on to the quarterfinals.

If you missed our Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listed:

Ribery to Eintracht? (Don Balon)

Oh, the Don is back...and this time with a fresh rumor on former Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery.

Per Don Balon, Ribery could be headed back to the Bundesliga for a tour with Eintracht Frankfurt:

The former LOSC Lille youth squad, at 37, is still playing, since from that moment he went to Fiorentina, at zero cost. He did not want to retire without trying his luck in Serie A, and went on an ambitious project, which aimed to regain greatness, and qualify for European competitions. However, both last season and this year they have disappointed everyone, and they have been closer to decline than anything else.

For that reason, the former Olympique de Marseille, Metz or Galatasaray wants to leave, and now he can return to the Bundesliga, as he did in 2007. But not to sign for the Bavarians, but to try his luck at Eintracht Frankfurt, which It has been one of the great revelations of the course, as they occupy a creditable and surprising fourth place.

Podolski bolting Turkey (Transfer Market Web)

Lukas Podolski is set to leave Turkey, but does not have a destination in mind, at least as of yet:

Interviewed by Fanatik, former German international winger/forward Lukas Podolski (35), playing for Antalyaspor since January 2020, stated: “Though I mean to keep on playing football, I’m leaving Antalyaspor once current season’s over. I’ve already made up my mind, since I really don’t know why I’m getting sidelined. I think it’s out of a lack of communication. Besides, we’re playing with a 6-3-1 system almost all the time”.

Former Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Galatasaray hitman is parting ways with Turkish club on a free move, once current season’s over indeed.

Funny, funny stuff (@TrollFootball)

This was good...

United back in the hunt for Sancho (Transfer Market Web)

The on-again, off-again saga of Manchester United seeking to bring in Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is apparently back on-again:

According to The Telegraph, Manchester United management are still adamant over fetching English international winger Jadon Sancho (turning 21 on March 25). Borussia Dortmund aren’t meanwhile letting him out on a less than 140 million euros transfer fee. Manchester City alumni might be meanwhile approached again by more A-listers around, including Barcelona FC and Liverpool.

It would seem extremely that Borussia Dortmund would let both Sancho and Erling Haaland go in the same summer, but — per the latest rumors — BVB could be looking at a haul of as much as €290 million for the two players...ya know, if true and all of that.