Group A of the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League is almost undoubtedly the most balanced group the competition has ever seen. Villarreal and Bayern Munich, almost certainly favorites to advance out of their group every year, could possibly be the third and fourth best teams in their group this season. With Napoli and Manchester City to contend with, every point is vital.
Villarreal Vs. Bayern Munich, 2011 UEFA Champions League: Preview
Bayern Munich and Villarreal will both be looking for three points to get a head start in the UEFA Champions League’s group of death, Group A.
Bayern Munich will be without Arjen Robben in this game, which should surprise precisely no one because he's Arjen Robben. Villarreal are without the suspended Borja Valero. Defender Cristian Zapata did not play on the weekend, but is expected to be in the team against Bayern.
Both teams have had some serious lows to start the season, most notably Bayern's loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach and Villarreal's thrashing at the hands of Barcelona, but both teams are loaded with talent and are coming off some highs. Villarreal scored an unexpected draw with Sevilla despite going down to 10 men early, while Bayern absolutely embarrassed Freiburg on the weekend.
The game kicks off at 2:45 pm ET, 8:45 pm local time from El Madrigal, and both teams will be looking for a win from the start, which should make for an entertaining match.
For more on Villarreal, head over to Villarreal USA.
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