Today, Bayern Munich must fight for a place in the semifinals of the Champions League. According to the new rules, the German champion just needs a victory today, as such with a goal difference will score the match in overtime. Villarreal certainly has something to show at the Allianz Arena, after beating Juventus as a guest a month ago.
The first match between the two teams was won with a minimum of 1:0 by the “Yellow Submarine” with a goal by Arnaut Danjuma in the eighth minute. Despite the early liabilities, most people expected Bayern Munich to create an advance, but alas. According to statistics, the Germans were totally superior to their opponent, but not in practice. Francis Coclen’s goal was canceled by VAR, and the great counterattacks of Villarreal simply did not end with an accurate shot.
Over the weekend, Bayern Munich struggled to host Augsburg in a match of the 29th round of the Bundesliga. He was won with only 1:0 after a goal by Lewandowski in the 82nd minute. The goal was very valuable, as the lead over Borussia Dortmund was kept at nine points. Villarreal did not win their home game against Athletic Bilbao, as the points were shared after 1: 1. The chances of the “Yellow Submarine” to get into the Top 6 are already illusory, and today’s match will be the most important from here until the end of the season.
Bayern Munich was in a similar situation in the round of 16 when they played a weak match in Austria, but in the return match they defeated Red Bull Salzburg with 7:1. Undoubtedly, today the opponent is better and he has already eliminated Juventus after a 3:0 victory on foreign soil. Maybe the omissions of the Villarreal players from the first match will be fatal for them, but I think they have something to show today and I expect them to score again in the opponent’s goal.
I have repeatedly mentioned that the defense of Bayern under Nagelsman is not at the level at which we are accustomed to watching it. At that time, the “Yellow Submarine” had a great season in the Champions League, impressing with the good positions he created, although he did not always realize them. For reference, we can also give the loss to Manchester United from the group stage in September, when Villarreal deserved to lead 3:0 at the break, but withdrew only with a goal lead at Old Trafford.
