Football, Champions League: Bayern warned about village club Villarreal – Champions League – football

Much respect from Bayern

Bayern’s Thomas therefore does not want to know anything about an alleged lucky ticket. “There will be no walks, no way”explains the veteran. “I saw both games”, he says about the round of 16 against Juventus: “We have been warned”. There is also praise from coach Julian Nagelsmann. “They have a coach with great international experience who has won many titles”says Bayern coach appreciatively, “and a team with just as much international experience and a clear plan”.

International striker Gerard Moreno hopes that one against Bayern “make history again” will. “We know, of course, that we were drawn a favourite, one of the best teams in the world. But against Juve everyone thought we were going down.”, says the 29-year-old, who forms a lightning-fast and very dangerous offensive line with Dutchman Arnaut Danjuma (25) and young national player Yéremy Pino (19). Ex-Dortmunder Paco Alcácer only sometimes gets a chance as a substitute.

Emery full of anticipation

“We’re very excited about what’s to come.”, says Emery despite the unsuccessful dress rehearsal on Saturday in the league duel at UD Levante (0: 2). One stands in front “big games against big opponents” and I want to look good doing it, said the coach. The table seventh of the Primera Division has lost three of the last four league games – including against two relegation candidates. but “It will be a completely different game against Bayern”Emery assured.

In La Cerámica, which only seats 23,500 spectators but still offers space for half the community, the fans will sing the club anthem at the top of their lungs again on Wednesday. It starts with “The hope of a whole village…”. A hope that now primarily rests on Emery. Between 2014 and 2021 he won no fewer than eleven titles, including the Europa League three times with FC Seville. Behind Pep Guardiola and Rafael Benítez, Emery is the most titled active Spanish manager.

Several national players

But hope also rests on a good squad. In addition to Moreno, Pino and Danjuma, national players such as goalkeeper Gero Rulli, defender Juan Foyth and playmaker Giovani Lo Celso (all Argentina), striker Boulaye Dia (Senegal) and central defender Pau Torres, who plays at “La Roya” belongs to the starting eleven. Top players in midfield are France’s Francis Coquelin (a former Freiburger) and Étienne Capoue, as well as the technically extremely strong Spaniards Dani Parejo and Manu Trigueros. At the back, the iron-hard Raúl Albiol is still uncompromising at 36. In general, Emery has a good squad mix. “We are able to hold our ground at this level”he says.


Source: red/sid/dpa

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