The Bavarians can count themselves lucky not to have conceded three or four goals, given the superiority and the number of missed chances of the team of the crafty Unai Emery.

"We made a lot of mistakes on the first leg. They made one: let us live. And we have to punish them for that," coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Monday.

Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann responds to journalists after the 1-0 defeat on Villareal's lawn in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, April 6, 2022 Christof STACHE AFP / Archives

Against the "Yellow Submarine", current 7th in La Liga, the powerful German champion certainly has the intrinsic quality to qualify.

Provided he finds his offensive power and his attack-defense balance, mysteriously evaporated in recent weeks.

Saturday in the league against Augsburg, the team again delivered a poor performance at home (1-0).

It took a penalty from Robert Lewandowski in the 82nd minute to overcome an opponent struggling to maintain.

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski scores from the penalty spot the winning goal for Bayern Munich, 1-0 against Augsburg, during the 29th day of the Bundesliga, April 9, 2022 at the Allianz Arena Christof STACHE AFP

"We lacked running speed, ball speed, we didn't have the necessary momentum," admitted coach Julian Nagelsmann.

"House on Fire"

Short of explanations, the young technician replaced the analysis with the incantation: "It was not a glamorous match, but I don't care at all", he said hotly.

"We are in a phase where it is no longer a question of shining, but of winning."

The problem "is first of all our mental approach", believes Joshua Kimmich, the "warrior" of the midfielder, also in decline lately, just like his teammates Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry or even Thomas Müller.

A sign of a certain feverishness, the team's captains have been competing for three days with martial declarations, as if to ward off the anxiety of an elimination: "The house is on fire, we are going to deliver a match worthy of Bayern", swears Leon Goretzka.

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretska's shot is blocked by a Villareal defender, during the Champions League quarter-final first leg, April 6, 2022 at Ceramica Stadium Pierre-Philippe MARCOU AFP / Archives

Asked about the reasons for believing it, captain Manuel Neuer spoke in a pre-match press conference about "the will" of Bayern.

"We have character in this team, a lot of pride," he said, "when we lost a first leg, you shouldn't joke with us."

About interviews … which do not hide one of Bayern's big shortcomings this season: the absence of leaders in the field, especially behind.

"No Boss"

"Once again, we saw that they had no boss, and it's not the first time this season," Dietmar Hamann tackled on the way.

Former Bayern turned consultant, he notes that, in this role, the departure of David Alaba to Real this summer has not been compensated.

"The defense lacks a leader", adds Kicker, the German football magazine: "Lucas Hernandez is certainly an aggressive defender, but he needs a player next to him to give instructions. Dayot Upamecano does not is not (yet) capable and Niklas Süle is not that kind of personality".

Villareal striker Gerard Moreno is jostled at home by Bayern Munich's French defender Lucas Hernandez, during the Champions League quarter-final first leg, on April 6, 2022 at Christof STACHE AFP

Against Villarreal, who only reached the last four of the Champions League once (in 2006, beaten by Arsenal), the Germans with six European titles nevertheless remain favorites.

In the previous round against Salzburg, they had already come through in the first leg, snatching a 1-1 draw in the dying seconds in Austria.

Before rolling their opponents 7-1 at the Allianz Arena.

Will they be able to 'punish' Villarreal in the same way?

Maybe … But a statistic can make them tremble: since 2015, Bayern have lost a first leg in the Champions League five times.

And each time he was eliminated.

© 2022 AFP