Showdown in the Champions League. FC Bayern entertain Villarreal (live text and Webradio commentary from 21:00 CEST on fcbayern.com and the FC Bayern app) in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Tuesday. FCB are looking to progress to the last four with the backing of a full house at the Allianz Arena. Our preview contains all the important info on the match.
Training, press conference & more - The day before the quarter-final second leg:
The situation for FC Bayern
"We are in a tight spot," summed up coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of the game against Villarreal. Following last Wednesday's 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Bayern have to win to reach the semi-finals. It would be the ninth time in the last 13 years that the record champions have reached the last four in Europe's premier club competition. As the away goals rule does not apply this season, a one-goal victory would mean extra time and a bigger winning margin would see FCB progress to the next round. "We have character in the team that has great ambition and desire," said captain Manuel Neuer at the press conference on Monday. "It's no joke for us if we have a game like we did at Villarreal. We are at home and we're ready to go."
Bayern are ready for a comeback:
The opponents: Villarreal
For Villarreal there is the historic chance of reaching the semi-finals in the Champions League for the second time since 2005/06. "It is one of the most important games in the history of Villarreal," said striker Gerard Moreno. The reigning Europa League winners displayed their quality in the first leg. "Villarreal defend much deeper in the Champions League than in La Liga. In the first leg they had a very good physical presence including in the air," said Bayern coach Nagelsmann. "We want to reduce their time in possession. They have very good players. We want to take Pau Torres, Foyth and Lo Celso out of the game, they were very good in the first leg. I'm assuming the tactical approach will be similar. We are generally prepared for different pressing."
Villarreal drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday:
Team news for FC Bayern vs. Villarreal
Niklas Süle is ruled out of the game against Villarreal. "Niki is ill. He has flu. It's a blow for us and for him. He won't be available," said Nagelsmann. In addition, FC Bayern again have to manage without Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee), Corentin Tolisso (muscle injury) and Bouna Sarr (knee ligaments). Lucas Hernández, who was unavailable at the weekend due to a bruised thigh, is available again.
Villarreal are only missing defender Alberto Moreno due to a torn cruciate.
What the coaches say
Julian Nagelsmann: "We want to deliver and we have to raise our full intensity including in possession. We have to increase the tempo of the game with quick and aggressive moves. It's a game that players love. There's a lot at stake and you have to invest a lot as well. It's well known that diamonds are created from pressure. Perhaps we'll produce a brilliant game tomorrow."
Unai Emery (Villarreal coach): "It will be a completely different game from the first leg. To have a chance of winning we have to overcome those difficulties. But we also have to see the confidence we have in ourselves."
Here are the facts and stats on the match against Villarreal:
The referee: Slavko Vinčić
Slavko Vinčić is the referee on Tuesday night. The 42-year-old Slovenian is in charge of an FC Bayern game for the first time. Vinčić is assisted by his fellow countrymen Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič, Matej Jug is the fourth official. Massimiliano Irrati from Italy and Jure Praprotnik from Slovenia are the VAR assistants.
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