FC Bayern might have wished for a different referee for the Champions League second leg on Tuesday. The Munich team have a negative experience with him.
A good omen looks different. The refereeing for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie against Lazio Roma does not give FC Bayern any cause for optimism. At least if you are superstitious.
The match on Tuesday in the Allianz Arena will be refereed by Slavko Vincic. Bayern do not have fond memories of the Slovenian. Two years ago, he refereed the quarter-final second leg against FC Villarreal, in which FCB could not get past a 1:1 draw and were sensationally eliminated from the top flight.
Same starting position as against Lazio
And if that wasn’t unfavourable enough, the starting position is also the same as today. Just like this time against Lazio, Bayern had to make up for a 1-0 defeat from the first leg at home.
In April 2022, everything seemed to be heading for extra time after a goal from Robert Lewandowski, before the visitors from Spain shocked FCB with the equaliser two minutes before the end and sealed the record champions‘ exit.
However, it should be pointed out that referee Vincic was not to blame for the failure of the team coached by Julian Nagelsmann. The referee’s clearly incorrect decisions were not memorable.
Nevertheless, Bayern must be careful. Vincic is not known as a generous referee. On average, he awards five yellow cards per Champions League match. Leon Goretzka and Alphonso Davies, who have already been penalised, should therefore be warned.
In addition to the refereeing, the latest statistics do not favour Bayern progressing. After losing the first leg, FCB have been eliminated seven times in a row. Nine years ago, Munich last made up for a defeat in the second leg when they beat FC Porto 6-1 in front of their home crowd after a 3-1 defeat.
