The aim is clear: overturn the first-leg score and make it through to the Champions League semi-finals. It sounds so simple, but it will require a magical night from FC Bayern in the quarter-final second leg against Villarreal CF at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday (21:00 CEST). Julian Nagelsmann’s side will have to summon all their strength in order to reach the final four for the ninth time in the last 13 years, or as Thomas Müller put it: “We want to hit back!” After the 1-0 defeat in Spain last week, the Bavarians need a win to at least take the tie to extra time. A look back through the history of the Champions League and European Cup shows that the German record champions have lost 19 times in the first leg of a knockout match - and still advanced seven times. These matches offer hope:
21 April 2015: FC Bayern 6-1 Porto
“Never give up” echoed round the Estádio do Dragão long into the night of 15 April 2015. Despite a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against FC Porto, the Bayern fans wanted to keep their chins up. Their team had a bad day. One week later, the supporters of the German record champions underlined the message with an impressive and now legendary tifo before the second leg at the Allianz Arena, and the players followed up with action. Pep Guardiola’s side dazzled in every department, leading 5-0 already at half-time and deservedly going through to the semi-finals with a 6-1 win in the end.
13 March 2012: FC Bayern 7-0 FC Basel
Three weeks can be an awfully long time - especially when you’re desperate to make amends for a slip-up. In late February 2012, Bayern suffered a 1-0 first-leg defeat at Swiss serial champions FC Basel, and already at the start of the knockout stages, their chances of reaching the final at their own stadium were under threat. The Munich men were having none of it, though, and produced a blistering attacking display in the second leg. Mario Gómez became the first Bayern player to score four times in a Champions League fixture, with Arjen Robben (2) and Müller also on the scoresheet in a 7-0 drubbing at the Allianz Arena, as Jupp Heynckes’ men delivered the perfect response to the first-leg loss. It’s also Bayern’s biggest win in Europe.
7 March 2007: FC Bayern 2-1 Real Madrid
After a 3-2 defeat in the first leg at Real Madrid, the Bavarians categorically needed a goal two weeks later in Munich - but no one would've expected it to come as quickly as it did. Straight from Real's kick-off, Hasan Salihamidžić won the ball and played in Roy Makaay, who made it 1-0 after just 10.12 seconds - still the fastest goal in Champions League history. Lúcio scored Bayern's second in the 67th minute, and despite a late Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty, Bayern went through to the quarter-finals on away goals.
European Cup: Always clean sheets at home
What do the clashes in the last 16 of the European Cup in 1975/76 against Malmö FF, in 1976/77 against FC Banik Ostrava in against Neuchâtel Xamax FCS in 1987/88 as well as the semi-final against CSKA Sofia in 1981/82 have in common? That’s right, in all of them, Bayern turned it around in the second leg having lost the first match - and with a clean sheet! After a 2-0 win in the second leg against Malmö, Bayern went on to reach the final, where they beat AS Saint- Étienne 1-0 thanks to “Bulle” Roth’s goal as the famous trophy went to Munich for a third year running. Also after the 4-0 second-leg win against Sofia in 1982, they progressed to the final, but this time Pál Csernai’s side - featuring Karl-Heinz Rummenigge up front - lost 1-0 to Aston Villa.
Villarreal drew 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening ahead of the quarter-final second leg:
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