After Juventus, Bayern Munich! But where will Unai Emery’s Villarreal stop?
Victorious 1-0 in the first leg at home, the Spaniards drew 1-1 in Munich to cause a new sensation. The qualifying goal was scored by Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze in the 88th minute on a magnificent break. Bayern had returned to the height of their opponent in the 52nd on a goal from Robert Lewandowski.
After the 1-0 from the Pole, we were not giving Villarreal a lot of chances. But Unai Emery’s players let the storm pass to wait for the right moment to strike. It came late in the game when Bayern had even less of a head to defend.
This elimination in the quarter-finals is a personal failure for Julian Nagelsmann. Recruited at a golden price from Leipzig last summer, the new coach lost the tactical battle proposed by Unai Emery. Unrecognizable in the first leg, his team never seemed really comfortable in the second leg.
Villarreal are now dreaming of a new feat in the semi-finals. Everything indicates that the ‘Yellow Submarine’ will come up against Liverpool who should confirm their qualification this Wednesday at Anfield Road against Benfica after their 3-1 success in Lisbon last Tuesday.
/ ATS