Bayern Munich vs Villarreal
UEFA Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 12th April 2022
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Allianz Arena (Munich).
When Bayern Munich takes on Villarreal in a must-win Champions League match this week, Julian Nagelsmann will be under pressure.
Bayern Munich isn’t having a good time right now.
In recent weeks, the Bundesliga champions have struggled, most recently falling 1-0 to Villarreal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
It was followed by an equally difficult Bavarian derby against FC Augsburg, in which they had to work hard to win 1-0.
The only difference between the two teams was a fortuitous penalty late in the game, highlighting Bayern’s recent lack of domination.
The German Rekordmeister will have the chance to right the wrongs on Tuesday when they host Villarreal in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern coaches have been evaluated based on their achievement in Europe over the years.
Nagelsmann, no matter how talented, should not be an exception.
In that perspective, an early exit from the Champions League may be viewed as a major setback for a team that has never looked dominant enough this season, even in domestic competitions.
Bayern was eliminated early from the DFB Pokal, and in the Bundesliga, they have had to rely heavily on Borussia Dortmund’s inconsistencies to maintain a comfortable lead.
They’ll be up against a Villarreal side hungry to succeed in Europe after a disappointing La Liga season that has them languishing in seventh place with little chance of finishing in the top six.
Given their first-leg performance, Villarreal’s confidence should be high.
However, as we approach this thrilling match-up this midweek, coach Unai Emery will have watched highlights of Bayern’s brutal comeback against RB Salzburg in the previous round.
Bayern Munich vs Villarreal Head to head :
The teams had met just once before this quarter final tie and that was in the 2011/12 group phase. Bayern won both legs, 2-0 in Villarreal and 3-1 in Munich.
The record German champions have a brilliant home record against Spanish oppositions having won 20 of the 30 meetings so far with the remaining 10 ending in 6 draws and 4 losses.
Meanwhile, Villarreal enjoyed moderate success from their trips to Germany after bagging 2 wins and 2 draws from 6 meetings so far.
Bayern Munich vs Villarreal Prediction :
Despite winning the first leg, Villarreal coach Unai Emery has stated that his team is not among the favorites to advance.
Bayern Munich has a habit of stepping up when it is needed, so the former Arsenal manager may not be entirely wrong.
This second leg matchup should be no different, with the Bavarians expected to come out firing in an attempt to break the opposition defense’s shackles.
Villarreal, on the other hand, are just too excellent an attacking team not to expose Bayern’s defensive frailties.
However, it will be surprising to see the Spanish giants dominate the German Rekordmeister, who remain the favorites to advance with a thrashing victory at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich vs Villarreal Team News :
The long-awaited return of Alphonso Davies at left-back was a positive feature of Bayern’s match against Villarreal, and Lucas Hernandez will be fit to return after missing the Augsburg triumph due to a thigh injury.
Niklas Sule is still out with the virus, and Nagelsmann has to work around the absences of Bouna Sarr, Corentin Tolisso, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, but none of them would have started.
Following an unsatisfactory first 45 minutes from Serge Gnabry in the Augsburg triumph, Leon Goretzka was OK to play 57 minutes at the weekend.
Kingsley Coman will also expect a homecoming to the first XI after a poor 45 minutes from Serge Gnabry.
Villarreal, on the other hand, are in good health for the second leg, excluding long-term absentee Alberto Moreno, while striker Boulaye Dia remains doubtful due to a muscle ailment.
As previously said, Emery made an incredible choice to make 11 changes for the weekend’s match against Athletic and should revert to the lineup that won the first leg, with Juan Foyth appearing to be fit to return at right-back despite an injury scare near the conclusion of that match.
Danjuma, Moreno, Giovani Lo Celso, Dani Parejo, and Raul Albiol are among players who will return for the Allianz trip, with Pau Torres’ domestic suspension forcing Emery to make one forced change at the weekend.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Parejo, Coquelin, Capoue; Lo Celso; Moreno, Danjuma
