Tuesday night in the Champions League offered two tremendous football plays. Efforting from the 50,000-strong Vila Real, Villarreal took a sensational semi-final spot after fighting in a draw in Munich.
Spain’s Villarreal did a shocking trick after dropping a football in the Champions League from Bayern Munich’s sequel. The small pride of the city of Vila-real, which has won the opening section at home 1–0, stretched to 1–1 in Munich in the second section.
Robert Lewandowski took Bayern into the lead at the end of the opening season, but the replacement became a Nigerian striker Samuel Chukwueze shattered the Germans’ dreams in the 88th minute.
The last time Villarreal played in the Champions League semi-finals was in the spring of 2006, when it lost to Arsenal. Last spring, the team celebrated a European League victory.
– Special feeling, it wasn’t easy, manager Unai Emery blew.
– We’re moving one step at a time. Our goal tonight was to get ahead, not to give a nice picture of us.
In the previous round, Villarreal had the first surprise after being sent to the Juventus Choir. The overthrow of the giants has given way to overwhelming self-confidence.
Next up will be either Liverpool or Benfica.
– To achieve something you have to do hard stuff and hit pre-favorites. In the semi-finals, we will try to create conditions in which we have the opportunity again. Both are tough opponents and will be great games, Emery said.
Academy work produces results
One of the strong cornerstones of the success of the crown jewel in the area known for its ceramics industry is the work of a junior academy. Of the 25 players who played the most on the team last season, 11 have grown at least for some time at the club’s Academy.
The striker also played for the Spanish national team at last summer’s European Championships Gerard Moreno joined Villarreal at the age of 18 in 2010.
According to Moreno, the team had every chance to put a pair of matches into the package already in the home game, but the team won only 1-0 despite their places.
– All the comments that gave us a lot of motivation. We deserved to go on, and this team has done something great. We knew a lot was required of us in defense, but we also knew we would get our own seats.
For Bayern, which leads the Bundesliga, falling out of the top four was a disaster. Julian Nagelsmannin the first season as manager of a German giant got a major dent.
– We played better today than in the first match, but we didn’t win either match, and that’s why we’re out. We already knew about the Juventus games and the first part, how well they defend. Our minimum goal was to reach the semi-finals, but it did not materialize.
– We didn’t lose this pair today. We played just fine and we had several top spots. They got it in one place, but otherwise the show was dominant. We just didn’t get that second goal. It annoys everyone because we wanted more, Star Watcher Manuel Neuer once again.
Chelsea fought, but bowed
In Tuesday’s second game, Chelsea rose from a difficult setup to a follow-up match, but in the opening section, the hat-trick banged Karim Benzema took Real Madrid’s goal to the semi-finals. The London team, who were intrigued by the first match, which ended 1–3, took the lead in the opening period Mason Mountin with paint, and Antonio Rüdigerin mixed Timo Wernerin the hits already lifted Chelsea to the next place.
80 minutes into the match Rodrygo hit the cutout for the home team Luka Modricin With 96 minutes played, the visitors broke through on the right after some poor defending.
– These are losses that we can digest, because there is nothing to be ashamed of. This just wasn’t meant for us, and we were unlucky, Tuchel said.
– We had a lot to do because of our mistakes in the opening game, and even today both goals came from our mistakes. They took advantage of them with their individual skills.
“Sweet-tasting defeat”
According to Modric, Los Blancos got caught in the ropes but did not give up.
– An incredible game and a sweet-tasting defeat. We stumbled upon faith, even though Chelsea gave its all. Managers (Carlo Ancelotti) made some good substitutions and they helped us stay in the game, the Croatian star said.
In the semi-finals, Real will face either Atletico Madrid or Manchester City.
– Both are good teams, and the opponent doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that we are in the future.
According to Ancelott, the team has shown its ability to fight for a Champions League victory.
– It would be pretty impossible to say we couldn’t win. We have shown that we will fight to the end. I would also like to congratulate Emery and Villarreal on their achievement.
– Many may not have thought that there would be two Spanish teams in the semi-finals, and who knows, even if there will be a third.
Atletico Madrid will host Manchester City in Spain on Wednesday. The opening session ended in a victory for City in a 1-0 match in which Diego Simeonen the away team did not shoot once. The second part of Benfica and Liverpool on Anfield Road will start from the English 3-1 lead.