Villarreal Vs. Bayern Munich, 2011 UEFA Champions League: Bayern Win 2-0

Bayern’s second goal was an absolute howler from Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez, who was otherwise very good. Cutting in from his right back position, Rafinha beat his defender before hiring in a hard shot at a narrow angle. A keeper of the class of Lopez should have been able to tip the ball wide for a corner kick without much of a problem, but he completely misjudged the ball and let it go into the back of the net off his hands.

Bayern were the better side in every facet of this game, and deserve the three points they picked up at El Madrigal this evening. Villarreal, on the other hand, haven’t proven their credentials as a Champions League team either in the competition itself or La Liga this season.

Over the last couple of years, Bayern Munich have had a number of problems with quality and depth in their defense. Thankfully for them and they’re fans, they’ve solved a lot of those issues, but they might be working on a new problem at the back. Veteran defender Daniel van Buyten has been forced to come off the pitch due to what appears to be a muscle strain, and he has been replaced by Rafinha.

The switch is not a like for like one. Rafinha is an attack-minded right back, while van Buyten is a central defender. Most likely, Holger Badstuber will move from left back to the center of defense, as he is capable in both positions. Starting right back Phillip Lahm is equally adept at playing on the left, and will probably move to fill the position that Badstuber vacated, while Rafinha will play in his natural right back spot.

For more on Villarreal, check out Villarreal USA. Keep it on our Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich StoryStream for more on this game, and head over to SB Nation Soccer for coverage of the entire UEFA Champions League and football from all around the world.

If Villarreal want a soft landing spot as they got back into the Champions League, they didn’t get it. They were drawn into the Group of Death and they start play in that group against Bayern Munich, while Manchester City and Napoli also loom. Cushy, huh?

At least they get to open at home and they’re going with a straight 4-4-2 to try and take down Bayern. With Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi up top they can put a scare in anyone, but the question is how their back line holds up. Arjen Robben is out of the team for the Germans, but they have Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the midfield with Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez up top. It won’t be easy for the Spaniards.

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.