Unai Emery’s side beat FC Bayern in a match for the ages
What a match! Villarreal CF beat FC Bayern (1-0) in a match that will go down in history. The Yellows defeated the Bavarian giants with a goal from Danjuma and a fantastic team performance. Against the Germans, the Submarine were a brave and self-sacrificing team. In short, they were superior to their opponents. All this in front of an unbelievable Estadio de la Cerámica. A match we will remember for decades to come.
In the moments leading up to the match, the Estadio de la Cerámica had a magical atmosphere. With the pitch buzzing, the ‘groguets’ fans left their voices and carried the team on their shoulders even before the match kicked off. The fans cheered and sang the anthem ‘a capela’. Impressive. With emotions running high, the players started the match against FC Bayern tremendously motivated. Not surprisingly, before the tenth minute had passed, Villarreal were already celebrating a goal against the Bavarian giants.
Arnaut Danjuma unleashed the celebrations in the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Submarine took advantage of the spaces and produced a swift link-up move between Gerard and Lo Celso. The Argentinian got to the by-line and played the ball back to Parejo, who, with his first touch, played in Danjuma, who was waiting in the six-yard box to surprise Manuel Neuer. The Dutch winger scored his sixth UEFA Champions League goal of the season.
Despite taking the lead, Villarreal did not alter their game plan. The Yellows continued to try to be incisive and take advantage of the spaces left by FC Bayern when they advanced metres forward and played in the opposition half. Gerard, Lo Celso and Danjuma were all in fine form and were comfortable with yards in front of them.
Five minutes before half-time, Villarreal had a Francis Coquelin goal disallowed for an offside call on the French midfielder, who was wide after receiving a pass into space from Dani Parejo on the edge of the box. A real shame. It would have been 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.
After a strong start from FC Bayern in the second half, Gerard came close to a second goal with a cross-shot from the edge of the box that hit the post. Villarreal were very much in the game.
But so were FC Bayern, who stepped up and looked for the equaliser. From the 65th minute onwards, the match turned into an endless exchange of chances between the two sides. Alfonso Pedraza and Danjuma both had chances to make it 2-0. Also Gerard, with a shot from midfield trying to surprise Neuer, who misplaced his pass when he was well advanced.
In the final minutes of the game, the Submarine made a titanic effort against the German giants, who pressed in search of an equaliser. The ‘groguets’ gritted their teeth in a final stretch of intense drama. The 1-0 scoreline proved to be conclusive. A favourable result for Villarreal, who will have the difficult but exciting challenge of sealing the victory in Munich.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Rulli, Foyth (Serge Aurier, m. 81), R. Albiol, Pau, Estupiñán, Coquelin (A. Pedraza, m. 58), Capoue, Parejo, Gerard, Danjuma (Chukwueze, m. 81), Lo Celso.
FC Bayern: Neuer, Pavard (Süle, m. 71), Upamecano, L. Hernández, Davies, Kimmich, Musiala, Coman, Müller (Goretzka, m. 61, Marc Roca, m. 94), Gnabry (Sané, m. 61), Lewandowski.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 8: Danjuma.
Referee: Anthony Taylor. Booked: Estupiñán (Villarreal).
Match information: Match between Villarreal CF and FC Bayern in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
