That didn’t go as planned: FC Bayern Munich couldn’t beat Villarreal in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The hosts not only convinced thanks to the dream combination.
They went into the race as clear favorites, but the game didn’t go as hoped: FC Bayern Munich couldn’t prevail at FC Villarreal and had to admit defeat in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 0-1 defeat. The record champion and coach Julian Nagelsmann must now convince in the second leg on April 12, otherwise there is a risk of losing the premier class.
The goal in Spain was scored by Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma (8′).
Bayern star Thomas Müller said after the game at DAZN: “Absolutely unscheduled. We didn’t play the game we wanted to play. We didn’t have the power. It got wild in the second half. We take the 0-1 like that with. If things went badly, it could have gone higher. Respect to the opponent, now we have to fight back.” Coach Julian Nagelsmann added: “A deserved defeat. We gave up control and didn’t have 100 percent. It wasn’t a good game from us.”
Bayern gets an early goal
Bayern started the game strong. Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann made three changes to his team compared to the last Bundesliga game against Freiburg. Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry played for Tanguy Nianzou, Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane from the start. But it didn’t help, because Villarreal played out good paths, so Arnaut Danjuma scored the 1-0 (8th) for Villarreal after a brilliant move. Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer was visibly annoyed. Even after the goal, the hosts didn’t let up and put Bayern under pressure.
Francis Coquelin almost scored a second goal for Villarreal FC, but this did not count according to the VAR decision – offside. The hosts were 1-0 at half time. DAZN expert Sandro Wagner said: “A deserved leadership. It hurts Bayern. There was no chance for Munich.”
Bayern keeper Neuer gambles – and is lucky
In the second half, the record champions pushed for an equalizer. Villarreal also had several big chances that went wrong. So Manuel Neuer moved far out of his box in the 62nd minute. Gerard Moreno took the chance when he got the ball and immediately fired from his own half. Neuer would not have been back in time – but the shot went wide to the right.
The first leg ended in a defeat for Bayern, who now have to do everything in the second leg to maintain their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Sandro Wagner summed up at DAZN: “Very disappointing from Bayern’s point of view. They allowed far too many counterattacks.” Joshua Kimmich said clearly: “At the end of the day we have to be honest, we’re well served with the 1-0 win. We didn’t play against an overpowering opponent today and we still didn’t do well.”
Thomas Müller continued: “We lost, we’ll put the shoe on. We have a home game next week and will pick ourselves up.” FC Bayern last won the Champions League in 2020.