Spain
Brand: “A handbook to learn how to leave Europe’s steamroller and Lewandowski without a chance to score. A big Villarreal would have deserved even more against Bayern. The yellow ones are slowing down the scoring machine in the big leagues. Bayern escapes from Villarreal alive. Tactical masterstroke by coach Unai Emery versus Nagelsmann. Villarreal was not impressed by the Bayern crest and CV. Müller and Lewandowski hardly saw the ball, Coman and Gnabry hardly won a running duel, Foyth and Estupinan.”
AS: “Villarreal tames the beast. The U-boat deserves more than Danjuma’s only goal. Villarreal lets the giant Bayern Munich escape from Villarreal alive. A historic night for the big village. The almighty Bayern was even partially demonstrated. Unai Emery granted Nagelsmann a lesson.”
Sports: “Villarreal lets Bayern Munich suffer. Emery clearly wins the game against Nagelsmann tactically. Villarreal continues to cause a sensation in Europe. Bayern found no remedy against the self-sacrificing fighting Spaniards. There was no sign of Lewandowski far and wide. You could see that the Bayern also have their weaknesses.”
El Mundo Deportivo: “Villarreal beats Bayern and dreams of the semi-finals. Bayern were knocked out by the yellows. Lewandowski hardly showed up. There was hardly any sign of Bayern’s status as a favourite, now it’s up to them to turn the thing around in the Allianz Arena. Villarreal was courageous and cheeky against the big Bavarians.”
Italy
Gazzetta dello Sport: “Too many experienced players betray coach Nagelsmann. Although he does not risk the coaching bench, concerns are growing about some questionable performances by his team, also because these are no longer isolated cases. Nagelsmann is honest and does not seek excuses.”
Corriere dello Sport: “Villarreal defuses Nagelsmann’s side, who perform practically nothing in the first half, while the Spaniards prove deadly at the first opportunity. Villarreal deals a heavy blow to Bayern Munich.”
tuttosport: “Bayern disappoint but remain in the running. Villarreal is not even remotely comparable to a planetary giant like Bayern Munich, but an entire city supports a team that has already achieved a lot in the Champions League.”
Il Messaggero: “Villarreal’s surprise win over Bayern Munich after a clash largely dominated by Spain.”