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On top: Villarreal's winner Arnaut Danjuma
Photo: IMAGO/Bagu Blanco/Pressinphoto/Shutterstock / IMAGO/Shutterstock
Bayern Munich surprisingly has to worry about entering the Champions League semi-finals.
At FC Villarreal, Munich lost 0-1 (0-1) and could be happy that only Arnaut Danjuma was successful for the La Liga seventh (8th): Strong Spaniards and their own mistakes offered room for an even bigger defeat.
The line-up sheet had the best news of the evening from Bayern's point of view: Alphonso Davies, who had been out for four months after a corona disease and subsequent heart muscle inflammation, celebrated his comeback on the left back.
In addition, Serge Gnabry joined the team after a good performance in the Bundesliga against SC Freiburg, Leroy Sané only found himself on the bench.
Leon Goretzka also had to take a seat there, who, after a long injury break, is to be carefully reintroduced to regular starting eleven appearances.
Despite this rotation, Julian Nagelsmann's team was the clear favorite - just not decisive in the game at the Estadio de la Cerámica: FC Villarreal, coached by Unai Emery, was not only safe there, but also playfully freed itself from the pressure from Bayern again and again.
In addition, there was the necessary cool-headedness at the start: right at the start, Danjuma deflected an accidental shot by playmaker Dani Parejo into the goal (8').
More mistakes, but no one to punish them
Even more surprising than the Dutchman's goal was the sovereignty with which Villarreal played the lead.
During the entire first half, the Spanish outsider didn't allow more than a few half-chances and shone with ball security against the pressing of the German record champions.
Shortly before the break, Bayern were lucky not to concede a second goal: Francis Coquelin's unsuccessful attempt at a cross fell over Manuel Neuer into the goal, but the Frenchman was offside during the action (41').
Villarreal also had the better chances after the change of sides, only Gerard Moreno had twice the 2-0 on the foot: First the post saved for Neuer (53rd), then the Bayern goalkeeper Moreno even played a pass in the foot.
The Spanish national striker tried to capitalize on Neuer's blackout with a long-range shot and just missed the goal (63').
Kingsley Coman (68') and substitute Sané (82') tried to improve Bayern's starting position before the second leg next Tuesday (9 p.m.) with individual action, but they also failed significantly.
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