Bayern Munich’s opponents in the quarter-finals of the Champions League are not very big names in Europe. Nevertheless, FC Villarreal could be uncomfortable – another top team has already failed because of the “yellow submarine”.
Few teams can claim to have defeated Italian giants Juventus 3-0 on home turf. Villarreal, one of three Spanish representatives in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, did just that a few weeks ago. The Valencian provincial club walled up for a long time to set decisive pinpricks in the final phase. The performance was crowned with success, but also a bit atypical for Villarreal. Because usually head coach Unai Emery, who previously worked at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, wants to win the games with possession and structured attacking football.
But in the Champions League, the 50-year-old also deliberately deviates from his strategic route and prefers to defend deep in his own half of the game. Bayern Munich, who play the first leg at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica tonight, can at least mentally anticipate that they will likely have to face compact defences. Patience and, above all, concentration are required so that counterattacks are not allowed unnecessarily.
Playing with false tips
In terms of personnel, Villarreal recently had good and bad news. In the meantime, top striker Gerard Moreno has returned and could play up front against Bayern. However, left winger Alberto Moreno has been out for a few weeks, which complicates the tactical design of the Emery system. You have to know that Villarreal usually plays with two “wrong” strikers. Dutch dribbler Arnaut Danjuma nominally accompanies the left flank, but constantly moves into the center to create moments of surprise. Moreno usually occupied the flank in his back.
Both teams could play like this.
Danjuma’s example is in any case representative of Emery’s offensive approach. There are many movements within the actual basic formation as it is written on paper. Danjuma and Gerard Moreno in particular will always be looking for the interfaces between Bayern’s central and full-backs. Recently there were some communication problems in the Munich back four – for example between Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernández, which meant that opponents like SC Freiburg were able to use the gaps that opened up to create scoring chances.
chain of three noh Davies return possible
It remains to be seen whether Bayern will even start with a back four in Villarreal. With the return of left winger Alphonso Davies, there would also be an opportunity to switch to a back three and occupy the flanks more offensively with Davies and Serge Gnabry. The back three would also give more compactness in the center and reduce the interfaces for Danjuma and Gerard Moreno’s advances.
Alternative basic formation of Bayern with a chain of three.
In any case, Bayern have to concentrate on securing the space gained when they have possession of the ball. This means: If the offensive forces push the ball forward either over the wings or through the center, there should always be a few defensive players behind them. This prevents Villarreal from going into counterattack too easily after winning the ball.
Although the Spaniards have averaged just 0.89 shots per game from counterattacks this season, this low figure is deceptive. Because in the domestic league they simply don’t get the opportunity to counter that often. But things are different in the Champions League – Juventus recently had to experience that painfully.