In the biggest game of the season so far, FC Bayern Munich took the field at the Allianz Arena and tried enough to shake off the troublesome Villarreal side for most of the game, but in the end the game broke out. Villarreal advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Here are some quick beaters in play:
- I wasn’t surprised to see Leroy Sane in the starting XI, but I was a little shocked when Julian Nagelsmann used a back three and Alphonso Davies stayed on the bench.
- Bayern Munich played with energy and urgency early on but Villareal defended for their lives. It was clear that nothing would be easy.
- That was a poor yellow card for Lucas Hernandez in the first half.
- Bayern Munich largely had no answer for Villarreal’s defence. Bayern were more creative than in the first leg but it was obvious that it would take a tremendous effort to prevail.
- Jamal Musiala’s header in the 29th minute was so good but so direct at the keeper.
- Villarreal was always screwing up the game and was immensely successful at it. Lots of grabbing, pulling and stalling. Credit, however, they played the way they had to to progress.
- At the end of the first half there was no real reason to believe that Bayern Munich would be able to break through, but with the pressure Bayern had applied they were at least able to overcome some cracks in Villarreal’s defensive wall. That would eventually pay off.
- Sane’s footwork and passing in the 50th minute were fantastic but he ultimately found only Dayot Upamecano, who airmailed what should have been a safe goal. As the announcer said, right place, wrong man.
- As Villarreal started to feel the heat, the delaying tactics got a lot worse.
- Robert Lewandowski made up for his uneven play in the 52nd minute with a brilliant groundball shot that sent Pau Torres through the legs, off the post and into the goal.
- The second half was just all Bayern Munich’s pressure on Villarreal. It was relentless.
- Gerard Moreno was able to put Villarreal through in the 70th minute but couldn’t do better with the cross or a shot.
- Thomas Müller should have headed home the game winner in the 71st minute. That failure would be huge.
- Arnaut Danjuma should have done much better with his try in the 82nd minute.
- Then it happened…substitute Samuel Chukwueze hit the stunner when substitute Alphonso Davies was out of position. Worse, Davies played Chukwueze on the side. An absolute killer moment that will probably shape Nagelsmann’s first season at Bayern Munich.
- Nagelsmann said he replaced Lucas Hernandez with Davies due to injury, but it’s unclear if the manager meant he was resting the Frenchman due to his illness from last week or if it was something new.
- The only good thing that came out of the game was this absolutely devastated FC Koln fan wandering around the Allianz Arena lawn after almost everyone left:
In bizarre scenes in the arena, a drunk FC Köln (yes, FC Köln) fan has just invaded the (very empty) pitch. It took a while, but he made it. pic.twitter.com/FCwjWUvwcS
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@arched1) April 12, 2022
- Overall, it was incredibly difficult to watch the game. Bayern Munich really gave their all, but lacked closure and decision-making. Many would also say the manager’s tactics weren’t that impressive either. Losing to Villarreal can’t happen… but it happened. Somehow it did.
If you missed our initial analysis, match awards, observations, or postgame podcast, watch or listen to them:
Bayern Munich and star player Robert Lewandowski still plan to meet and discuss a deal, despite the widespread stories linking the Poland international with FC Barcelona:
On Monday it was claimed the Poland international had already told the German giants he had no intention of extending his stay at the Allianz Arena beyond the end of 2023.
Additionally, the 33-year-old is set to join Barcelona provided the two clubs could agree on a fee, but it has been hinted that Bayern still hold the cards when it comes to his future.
According to Goal, talks between Bayern and Lewandowski are to be held in the coming weeks to clarify the situation.
Meanwhile, Barca Universal caught a report stating that FC Barcelona are only willing to offer FC Bayern Munich the paltry sum of €25-30m for the world’s best player:
Now Gerard Romero has released a new update regarding the transfer fee that could be linked to Barcelona’s pursuit of Lewandowski.
The transfer expert has claimed that Barça have informed Lewandowski’s camp that they are ready to offer Bayern Munich a transfer fee of around €25-30m to sign him.
Romero further insists the Bundesliga champions are demanding a sum of €60m for his successful goalscorer, which Blaugrana refuse to pay.
In addition, FC Barcelona now denies previous reports of an agreement with Lewandowski:
Barcelona sources have denied any agreement or negotiations with Robert Lewandowski, assuring the Pole is an option but not the only one – although they admit they are aware of Lewandowski’s interest in joining them [@sergisoleMD]
— Bavaria & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 12, 2022
In a statement that can only be described as crazy, there is a report that Bayern Munich have their eyes on Manchester United star Marcus Rashford:
Bayern Munich will reportedly face stiff competition from Real Madrid and Arsenal in the race to land Marcus Rashford in the summer. According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Marcus Rashford has been on Bayern Munich’s radar for a potential move in the summer transfer window. The Manchester United striker is also a target for Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Marcus Rashford has come a long way since surprisingly being promoted to the first-team squad midway through the 2015/16 season. The England international has been a key figure for club and country in recent years but this season has been unforgettable for him. The 24-year-old has an impressive record of five goals and two assists in 27 appearances in all competitions. And after becoming a minor player under Ralf Rangnick, Rashford is considering his future at Manchester United, who have attracted the attention of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Despite some reports to the contrary, pundit (and unofficial Haaland family spokesman) Jan Aage Fjortoft says Real Madrid are still in the running for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland phenomenon:
It’s NOT TRUE that Real Madrid are out of the race for Erling Haaland
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft ️ (@JanAageFjørtoft) April 12, 2022
Bayern Munich limped to a 1-0 win over Augsburg in a hard-fought derby. Bayern earned a late penalty with a handball from Reece Oxford. The referee pointed to the spot almost immediately and Robert Lewandowski converted a massive penalty. In this podcast we take a look at:
- That first half
- Appearance of Joshua Kimmich
- Julian Nagelsmann’s substitutions
- More praise for Jamal Musiala
- No goals from open play in 180 minutes
- The ongoing issues affecting the backline
- The wingers, especially Serge Gnabry
- Reece Oxford stuff
- That gives Augsburg honor where it deserves
- Augsburg’s remarkable achievements
- The problems that Bayern are currently going through
- Short thoughts back to Freiburg and on to Villarreal
Despite the hiccups, Red Bull Salzburg star and Germany international Karim Adeyemi appears to be – slowly – closing in on a move to Borussia Dortmund. BVB and Salzburg go back and forth about a fee for the youngster:
Negotiations between BVB and RB Salzburg are entering the next – and possibly decisive – phase. As Salzburg’s managing director Stephan Reiter revealed on Sky, the two parties are getting closer again.
“It’s just as interesting and challenging as many other transfers. It’s a certain process in which you get closer and then move away a little and come closer again,” says Reiter. The good news for all BVB fans: They are currently “on the right track”.
As SPORT1 knows, the negotiations have recently stalled. RB boss Dietrich Mateschitz in particular had blocked that he would rather see Adeyemi in Leipzig in the Bundesliga. The 20-year-old is under contract with Salzburg until 2024.
Salzburg are demanding around 45 million euros for the German national player, but BVB wants to spend a maximum of 38 million euros – including bonus payments. It is now clear that Adeyemi wants to take the next step in the summer. And the goal of the German international is clearly BVB.