It’s crunch time in the Champions League! FC Bayern travel to Villarreal CF in the first leg of the quarter-finals on Wednesday (live text and Webradio commentary from 21:00 CEST on fcbayern.com and the FC Bayern app). Julian Nagelsmann’s side head to the Estadio de la Cerámica looking to establish a good position for the return leg at the Allianz Arena on 12 April. Our preview contains all the important info on the match.
Training, press conference, journey - The day before the quarter-final first leg in pictures:
The situation for Bayern
Bayern came out of the international break and into the business end of the season with a commanding 4-1 victory at SC Freiburg on Saturday. The Munich men can take further confidence from the statistics: they’re unbeaten in 25 away outings in the Champions League and won 20 of those. Moreover, FCB have won five and drawn two of their last seven meetings with Spanish teams in Europe, losing none. “We’re brimming with confidence,” stated Lucas Hernández in Tuesday’s press conference.
Here are the facts and stats on the clash at Villarreal:
The opponents: Villarreal
Villarreal are probably the most surprising name in this year’s quarter-final line-up. Unai Emery’s charges, who qualified for the Champions League as Europa League winners, advanced to the last eight with a real sensation. Having finished second in their group behind Manchester United, the Yellow Submarine knocked out Juventus in the round of 16 with a 4-1 win aggregate win. In La Liga, Villarreal sit in seventh place on 45 points from 30 matches following back-to-back defeats.
“They play various formations, you have to be prepared for different situations. They’re a team who play with risk and are very experienced,” described Nagelsmann. “They have a good midfield and a strong attack. We won’t underestimate them but we want to win both games,” added Hernández on the opposition.
Squad, form coach - we examined Villarreal:
The team news
There is very encouraging news on Alphonso Davies. The 21-year-old Canadian, fresh from being crowned CONCACAF Player of the Year, is back in the squad for the first time since being diagnosed with myocarditis. “His spirometry was positive, so we can take him and he could even start. Whether that will be the case will be decided today and tomorrow,” said Nagelsmann. However, the FCB coach must do without Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (positive coronavirus test), Corentin Tolisso (muscle strain) and Bouna Sarr (patellar)
For the hosts, Alberto Moreno is out with a cruciate ligament tear. Samuel Chukwueze is doubtful due to muscular problems.
What the coaches say
Julian Nagelsmann: “They often defend very deep and try to break up the opponents’ rhythm by doing so. We don't have a problem being favourites. You have to justify that role and we're well prepared to do that.”
Unai Emery (Villarreal coach): “It’s also about enjoying the fact we get to play this match. Bayern are a great team, they’re the favourites. We must try to deliver a perfect performance and show our best side. We want to show personality and ability. We’ll have to do a lot of defensive work and we want to assert our game on the field.”
Watch the pre-match press conference with Julian Nagelsmann and Lucas Hernández in full:
The referee: Anthony Taylor
The referee on Wednesday evening will be Anthony Taylor. The 43-year-old Englishman has previously officiated three fixtures involving Bayern, all three of which FCB have won: two UCL group matches against FC Rostov in 2016/17 (5-0) and RSC Anderlecht in 2017/18 (2-1), as well as the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla FC in 2020 (2-1 a.e.t.). Taylor will be assisted by compatriots Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, with Tasos Sidiropoulos appointed fourth official. Stuart Attwell and Craig Pawson from England are the video assistants.
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