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After claiming a memorable 1-0 win against Bayern Munich at El Madrigal last week, Villarreal will travel to Bavaria for the second leg tie of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday. Arnaut Danjuma’s early strike was enough to separate the two sides in the first leg tie and Unai Emery’s side now has a slight advantage against the 2020 champions. Villarreal were held to a 1-1 draw in their last game while Bayern edged past Augsburg 1-0 in the Bundesliga fixture on Saturday.
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Full focus in final training ahead of #FCBVCF ?⚽#packmas pic.twitter.com/CaEADApKWq
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 11, 2022
Robert Lewandowski scored an 82nd-minute penalty to help his side bounce back after suffering a first Champions League defeat away from home since 2017. Despite being on top of the Bundesliga standings, Julian Nagelsmann’s side haven’t been at their fluent best, there are still some flaws in the side which needs to be sorted out.
The German giants struggled to find a way past a well organised Villareal defence last week. They seem to be lacking a creative midfielder’s presence. Thiago Alcantara played a crucial role in Bayern’s Champions League triumph in 2020, and since his departure to Liverpool in the following summer, the Bavarians have lacked a creative spark in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile Nagelsmann’s side enter the contest having won five of their last six at home in all competitions, and it has been over three years since they last failed to score at least two goals in a Champions League game in Alianz Arena.
On the other hand, despite being placed seventh in the La Liga standings, Villarreal have been punching above their weight in Europe’s elite competition this season. Emery’s side overcame Juventus in the last-16 stage before taking the lead against the German giants in the two-legged quarter-final tie.
The Spanish side is now just 90 minutes away from reaching only the second Champions League semi-final in the club’s history, which they managed once previously in the 2005-06 before failing to Arsenal.
Once again it’s going to be Villareal’s defence vs Bayern’s attack. Emery’s side is likely to park the bus in front of the goal and will try to hit the opposition on the counter attacks as they did last week.
Bayern’s Lucas Hernandez will be fine to return from the thigh problem while Niklas Sule is still out of competition because of flu. Meanwhile Kingsley Coman is likely to make it to the starting eleven.
As for Villarreal, Emery made eleven changes for the weekend’s clash against Athletic and should revert to the team that did the job at El Madrigal. Juan Foyth is fine to return to the right-back position.
Bayern Munich possible starting line-up: Neuer, Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies, Kimmich, Goretzka, Sane, Muller, Coman, Lewandowski.
Villarreal possible starting line-up: Rulli, Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupian, Parejo, Coquelin, Capoue, Lo Celso, Moreno, Danjuma.
The Champions League quarter-final fixture between Bayern Munich and Villarreal will take place at the Allianz Arena and it will kick-off at 12:30 am IST on Wednesday, April 13.
The match will be live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website, and the JioTV mobile app. Meanwhile football fans in India can also enjoy the action on TV networks, as the competition is telecasted on the Sony Ten network.
