Lazio and Roma European opponents suffer set-backs heading into UCL and UEL clashes | OneFootball

Lazio and Roma’s upcoming opponents, in the Champions League and Europa League respectively, both suffered domestic blows over the weekend, as Bayern Munich were held to a surprise draw by Freiburg, and Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton were on the end of a 3-0 thumping by Fulham in the Premier League.

Lazio are the first of the Italian sides in European action next week, as they travel to Bavaria to play Bayern at the Allianz Arena for the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 meeting on Tuesday night.

Maurizio Sarri’s side hold a 1-0 advantage from their victory at the Stadio Olimpico.

Bayern have been out of sorts under Thomas Tuchel since the turn of the new year, and could potentially find themselves 10 points shy of Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side by the end of the weekend.

Bayern’s 2-2 draw against Freiburg means that they have won just one of their last five matches across all competitions.

2024 has also not been particularly kind to Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi and his Brighton side.

The Seagulls have only won two of their eight Premier League matches since the turn of the new year, and were dealt a tough 3-0 blow by mid-table challengers Fulham on Saturday.

Brighton had made seven changes from the team that lost 1-0 to Wolves in the FA Cup on Wednesday.

De Zerbi was able to welcome highly-rated youngster Julio Enciso back into the starting line-up for the first time since mid-August, but his presence was not enough to prevent a second successive defeat this week.

Brighton and Bayern’s shaky form in their respective domestic leagues will be a boost for both Lazio and Roma. A draw will be enough for Lazio to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals, while Roma still have to play two legs of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Brighton.

Also in European action next week will be Atalanta, whose opponents, Sporting CP, will play Farense on Sunday evening.

Milan are in action against Slavia Prague, who are currently in the middle of an entertaining cup and league double-header against arch-rivals Sparta Prague.

Fiorentina will also be up against Maccabi Haifa on Thursday, who will first have to face Hapoel Hadera in the Israeli Premier League on Sunday.

NapoliInter to Madrid to face Atletico on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 March respectively.