Champions, Bayern-Villarreal 1-1: goals from Lewandowski and Chukwueze. Spaniards in the semifinals

Balance, uncertainty, final surprise. Villarreal drew 1-1 at Bayern Munich and reached the Champions League semi-final for the second time in their history (the first in 2006, when he was eliminated by Arsenal also following a missed penalty by Riquelme). After the 1-0 first leg, Lewandowski’s goals in the 52nd minute and Chukwueze’s goals in the 88th minute decided the return. Just like last season, Bayern are out in the quarter-finals. The German champions seemed not very patient, being punished for being too in a hurry to close the qualifying speech within the 90 ‘, thus suffering, a few minutes from the end, the decisive goal with an avoidable counterattack.

the match

–

Nagelsmann to overturn the 1-0 immediately in Spain chooses 3-4-2-1, preferring Musiala to Gnabry. Emery responds with 4-3-3. The Bavarians start the game keeping the center of gravity very high, well over the opposing half of the pitch, becoming dangerous on 8 ‘, when Sané serves Lewandowski an excellent ball who is however anticipated at the last by Rulli, good at intervening with his foot. Villarreal, however, makes density in front of the penalty area, allowing very few spaces to the opponents. Nagelsmann’s team makes the match, crushes the Spaniards in their half of the pitch, but struggles to kick on goal. The opportunity, just before the break, was created by Villarreal who, with Moreno, hit the outside of the net in the 45th minute. The result is released in the 52nd minute, when Coman steals the ball in midfield, serves Müller, good at triggering Lewandowski who, by passing the ball between Pau Torres’ legs, beats Rulli. Villarreal seem to suffer the backlash and are also likely to suffer a 2-0 in the 57th minute: Goretzka serves Müller who, from an excellent position, is closed right at the moment of the shot.

risks

–

The Spaniards are struggling to get possession of the ball and still risk losing 2-0 in the 72nd minute, when Müller wastes an excellent cross from Sané, sending the ball out of an excellent position with his head. The guests are seen only in the 83rd minute, when Danjuma looks for the far post but misses the goal by almost a meter. Bayern is not afraid and continues to attack instead of managing, being punished in the 88th minute: Parejo steals the ball, throws Moreno who serves Chukwueze, entered from 4 ‘, cold to beat Neuer. For the Allianz Arena it is a freezing shower. Nagelsmann’s team, who dominated the game from start to finish, fell into the trap of Villarreal’s bolt and counterattack. Which is now enjoying the second semifinal of its history against one between Benfica and Liverpool.