Villarreal advantage after Arnaut Danjuma’s early goal seals a deserved win against Bayern Munich

Arnaut Danjuma’s early goal gave Villarreal a deserved 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Former Bournemouth winger Danjuma gave the Spaniards a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg by scoring the only goal early in the first half at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

But things could have been worse for Bayern, who put in a disappointing performance as Villarreal was ruled out for offside again before hitting a post through Gerard Moreno.

The home side, supported by a raucous crowd, got off to a superb start and took the lead through Danjuma in the eighth minute.

Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, on loan from Tottenham, sliced ​​the ball back into the box before Danjuma deflected Daniel Parejo’s shot into the bottom corner.

A well-timed tackle from Spain defender Raul Albiol on the edge of the box denied Serge Gnabry any chance of scoring as Bayern tried to break into play.

But the German champions were relieved when Pau Torres failed to score from a Parejo free-kick as Villarreal threatened again.

And just before half-time the stadium erupted as the Spaniards thought they deserved to take a two-goal lead.

Francis Coquelin’s attempted cross went into the net but referee Anthony Taylor was told the France midfielder was offside following a VAR check and Bayern breathed a sigh of relief.

The visitors, who missed a shot on goal, had everything to do at half-time.

Thomas Müller came within a hair’s breadth of deflecting a cross to equalize early in the second period, but there was no rest for Bayern, who were spared by the Holzwerk when Moreno’s shot hit just the post in the 53rd minute.

Bayern sent Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka for Gnabry and Müller and in the 66th minute Alphonso Davies fired straight at Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. It was Bayern’s first shot on goal.

The Bundesliga club pressed in the last 15 minutes, but they hardly created any chances and Alfonso Pedraza missed a golden chance for Villarreal in the 87th minute.