Video
UN IN A MILLION
Watch Villarreal catch SEVEN Bayern Munich players out with cheeky offside trap thanks to Unai Emery’s genius tactics
FORMER Arsenal manager Unai Emery guided Villarreal to the Champions League semi-finals with a shock 2-1 aggregate win over Bayern Munich.
And while Emery often came under fire during his brief spell with the Gunners, he got his tactics spot on in Munich.
3
3
3
One particular passage of play from Tuesday night's quarter-final second leg proves the Spaniard's genius.
With Joshua Kimmich standing over a free-kick for Bayern on the left-hand touchline, the Villarreal players lined up to defend the cross.
But then just as Kimmich whipped the ball into the box, every single yellow shirt suddenly charged forwards.
While the tactic initially seemed a bizarre one, it worked to perfection, catching SEVEN Bayern Munich players offside.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Fans on social media were quick to praise Emery for the cheeky scheme, as well as his entire game plan across the tie.
One said: "I have watched this countless times and every time it looks so funny to me.
"Villarreal meant business last night. Unai Emery tactics was something else."
An 88th minute goal from Samuel Chukwueze cancelled out Robert Lewandowski's earlier strike and saw the Spaniards progress 2-1 on aggregate.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Emery's side won 1-0 in the first leg last week, and had just TWO combined shots on target across the tie, both resulting in goals.
Another fan gushed at Emery's strategy: "Unai Emery's tactics have worked to perfection. 1 shot on target at home, 1 shot on target away. Defensive Masterclass."
After losing two group stage games against Manchester United, Villarreal have successfully negotiated themselves to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2006.
Emery and Co will now face the winners of Liverpool vs Benfica for a place in the final.
Topics