With Arnaut Danjuma’s goal, Unai Emery’s side takes a 1-0 lead into the second leg, with the winner facing either Benfica or Liverpool in the semi-finals.
Team News
Bayern Munich
- The long-awaited return of Alphonso Davies at left-back was a positive feature of Bayern’s match against Villarreal, and Lucas Hernandez will be fit to return after missing the Augsburg triumph due to a thigh injury.
- Niklas Sule is still out with the virus, and Nagelsmann has to work around the absences of Bouna Sarr, Corentin Tolisso, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. But none of them would have started.
- Following an unsatisfactory first 45 minutes from Serge Gnabry in the Augsburg triumph, Leon Goretzka was OK to play 57 minutes at the weekend. Kingsley Coman will also expect a homecoming to the first XI after a poor 45 minutes from Serge Gnabry.
Villarreal
- Villarreal, on the other hand, are in good health for the second leg, excluding long-term absentee Alberto Moreno, while striker Boulaye Dia remains doubtful due to a muscle ailment.
- As previously said, Emery made an incredible choice to make 11 changes for the weekend’s match against Athletic and should revert to the lineup that won the first leg, with Juan Foyth appearing to be fit to return at right-back despite an injury scare near the conclusion of that match.
- Danjuma, Moreno, Giovani Lo Celso, Dani Parejo, and Raul Albiol are among players who will return for the Allianz trip, with Pau Torres’ domestic suspension forcing Emery to make one forced change at the weekend.
Prediction Analysis
We made the error of underestimating Villarreal before the first leg, and a whole XI of fresh legs can undoubtedly cause problems for Bayern’s defense, especially given their recent track record in the Champions League.
While Emery’s team might and probably should have scored more in the first leg, Bayern were also guilty of some profligacy on the night – which should not be the case at the Allianz Arena – and making lightning strike twice in Bavaria will likely be too much for this feisty Villarreal side.
Our prediction is Bayern Munich 3-1 Villarreal (Bayern win 3-2 on aggregate)
Possible Lineup
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski;
Villarreal: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Parejo, Coquelin, Capoue; Lo Celso; Moreno, Danjuma.