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Played
November 22, 2011 7:45 PM GMT
Allianz-Arena — München
Referee:‬ M. Strömbergsson‎
Attendance:‬ 66000‎
 

Bayern Munich 3-1 Villarreal: Ribery nets brace as hosts secure top spot in Champions League Group A

German giants clinch qualification to the knockout rounds following victory over the Spanish side at the Allianz Arena, courtesy of their French magician

By Clark Whitney

FC Bayern Munich vs C Villarreal, Ribery, Lahm, Gomez
Bongarts
Bayern Munich secured qualification to the Champions League round of 16 following a 3-1 home win over Villarreal in Group A.

The hosts were ahead by two goals for most of the match, and their victory, combined with Napoli's win over Manchester City, confirmed the Bavarians' status as group winners.

It took less than three minutes for Ribery to open the scoring, and by the 24th minute, the hosts were 2-0 up, thanks to Mario Gomez. Jonathan De Guzman pulled one back for the visitors on 50 minutes, but Ribery restored the hosts' two-goal advantage on 69 minutes, and the hosts held on for a convincing win.

Following their weekend loss to Borussia Dortmund, Bayern had just the start they needed, with some thanks to Villarreal centre-back Carlos Marchena. The World Cup winner passed the ball directly into the path of Toni Kroos, and the German international took a touch before slipping a through ball to Ribery, who looped his finish over Diego Lopez.

Just 21 minutes later, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk blasted an effort from distance that struck the inside of the right post, and the rebound found Gomez, who re-directed home the game's second goal.

The visitors' defence greatly struggled in the opening stages, and both Tymoshchuk and Arjen Robben could have been on the scoresheet in the opening half hour, but the Ukrainian had a clear chance miss wide before the Dutchman had his volley saved.

The Spaniards put up little opposition overall, but showed signs of life in the closing minutes of the first half. De Guzman flashed a cross to the back post that needed only a touch to find the net, and Borja Valero fired a strong effort from distance that Manuel Neuer punched over the bar.

De Guzman made the match competitive once more in the 50th minute, after Kroos' weak pass was intercepted by Joan Oriol. The defender burst forward into open space and crossed to the back post, where the former Mallorca midfielder was positioned to strike a stunning volley into the net.

The home fans' nerves were not eased as Ribery came close with a trio of chances, but the Frenchman's fourth opportunity of the half was the charm as he latched onto Kroos' through ball, rounded the goalkeeper, and coolly finished.

There were a few late opportunities from both sides, but Manuel Neuer was keen to deny Marco Ruben, while Diego Lopez did well to stop a drive from substitute Ivica Olic.

The result sees Bayern through to the round of 16 as they maintain their position atop Group A with 13 points, five ahead of Napoli. Villarreal will finish last, having failed to earn a point from their first five games.


FC Bayern München

1
Manuel Neuer
Goalkeeper
7.5
5
7.0
13
Rafinha
Defender
4.5
17
Jerome Boateng
Defender
6.5
21
Philipp Lahm
Defender
7.0
7
Franck Ribéry
Midfielder
3′ 69′ 81′
8.0
10
Arjen Robben
Striker
76′
6.0
27
David Alaba
Midfielder
6.5
39
Toni Kroos
Midfielder
3′ 69′
8.0
44
7.0
33
Mario Gomez
Striker
23′ 72′
7.0

Villarreal

6.5
13
6.5
3
Joan Oriol
Defender
50′
5.5
4
Mateo Musacchio
Defender
4.0
5
Carlos Marchena
Defender
4.5
6
Ángel
Defender
61′ 69′
4.5
14
Mario Gaspar
Defender
7.0
8
5.0
11
5.0
20
5.5
21
Soriano
Midfielder
5.5
9
Marco Ruben
Striker
42′

Substitutes

22
Hans-Jörg Butt
Goalkeeper
-
26
Diego Contento
Defender
-
23
Danijel Pranjic
Midfielder
81′
-
30
Luiz Gustavo Dias
Midfielder
-
9
Nils Petersen
Striker
-
11
Ivica Olic
Striker
76′
6.5
25
5.5

Substitutes

-
1
César
Goalkeeper
-
15
Catalá
Defender
5.0
18
Wakaso
Midfielder
62′
6.0
19
Marcos Senna
Midfielder
69′
-
21
Marcos Gullón
Midfielder
-
53
Pablo
Midfielder

Coach/Manager

-
-

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
14 4
Mario Gomez Mario Gomez
Striker
Bayern
13 0
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
10 2
Karim Benzema Karim Benzema
Striker
Real Madrid
7 0
Didier Drogba Didier Drogba
Striker
Chelsea
6 0