Villarreal showed tonight that their ceiling in the Champions League this year is not the quarterfinals. Or at least it is in a position to fight to reach the semifinals for the second time in its history after a defeat (1-0) at a La Cerámica stadium given an entire Bayern Munich 22 consecutive games away at their home without. defeat in Europe.
The Bavarian giants ’last defeat in the Champions League came back in September 2017, when PSG beat him, led by Unai Emery, 3-0. Now the Gipuzkoan has once again suppressed a tie -faced rival as a favorite and now he has to return to Munich.
Danjuma marked after great collective action
Emery opted for a more physical and experienced midfield with the inclusion of Francis Coquelin and Yeremy Pino and the coach’s goal to close Bayern’s passing lanes was aided by Villarreal’s quick goal.
It was in the 8th minute when a great collective action on the first touch led to 1-0. Gerard Moreno, from the right wing, put a deep ball to Giovani Lo Celso, whose cross from the by-line was finished for the first time by Dani Parejo and Arnaut Danjuma appeared to deviate into the net against misplaced Manuel Neuer .
Bayern, handcuffed
With the score in their favor, Villarreal was fully defensive and, with a very commited Giovani Lo Celso, did not give any gaps to a Bayern who felt uncomfortable to the point that Robert Lewandowski barely entered the game.
On some arrivals, on the other hand, Villarreal brought danger thanks to the mobility of Gerard Moreno and Danjuma. So, shortly before the break, VAR canceled a 2-0 lead on a center shot by Coquelin due to the start of the offside after receiving from Dani Parejo.
Exciting second part
In the second half the battle changed completely. Bayern certainly came out, gave a sense of danger from the first moment and toured the area. But Villarreal did not budge, they continued with intense defense and did not neglect the attack. The occasions followed one another even though the clearest was with the ‘groguets’.
In the 53rd minute, Bayern allowed Gerard Moreno to take control, unleashing a left-footed shot from the edge of the box that knocked off the post. And, in the 62nd minute, Neuer played with fire when he came out of the center circle and gave the pass to Gerard Moreno, who tried to score with a shot from the midfield line on an empty goal and the ball, then bounced off the lawn. , came out very small.
No word about Lewandowski
Lewandowski barely showed up but Serge Gnabry, with a cross shot that Thomas Müller missed by a millimeter, Alphonso Davies, who on his reappearance after three months out tried a safe Gerónimo Rulli, and Kingsley Coman , avoiding a providential Pau Torres to score, they put their heart into a fist to ‘grogueta’ fans.
Villarreal completed a great game, adapting all the time to the circumstances to stand out with a Bayern team, and so far they have dreamed their fans of completing one of the greatest victories in their history in Munich.
VILLARREAL
10
BAYERN MUNICH
Villlarreal: Rulli, Foyth (Aurier, m.81), Albiol, Pau Torres, Estupiñán, Coquelin (Pedraza, m.59), Capoue, Parejo, Lo Celso; Danjuma (Chukwueze, d.81) and Gerard Moreno
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Pavard (Süle, m.72), Upamecano, Lucas Hernández, Davies; Kimmich, Musiala; Coman, Müller (Goretzka, m.62) (Marc Roca, m.93), Gnabry (Leroy Sané, m.62); Lewandowski.
Goal: 1-0, m.8: Danjuma
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England). He advised Estupiñán for Villarreal (m.75)
Incidents: The first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals was played at La Cerámica before 22,500 spectators, 3,500 of whom were fans of the German team.
view game file
Source: La Verdad
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