Villarreal Vs. Bayern Munich, 2011 UEFA Champions League: Bayern Win 2-0

If this is, in fact, the group of death, it appears that Villarreal are going to be out of Europe come December. Bayern Munich are in great position in Group A of the UEFA Champions League after a 2-0 win at El Madrigal in Spain, but the opposite is the case for Villarreal, who have now become favorites to finish fourth after Matchday 1.

Toni Kroos scored the opening goal for Bayern just 7 minutes in, and he was completely unmarked on the finish. The goal was set up by Franck Ribery, who now looks to be completely back from his various injuries. He was Bayern Munich's best player all night and looked extremely dangerous on the left flank.

Bayern's second goal was an absolute howler from Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez, who was otherwise very good. Cutting in from his right back position, Rafinha beat his defender before hiring in a hard shot at a narrow angle. A keeper of the class of Lopez should have been able to tip the ball wide for a corner kick without much of a problem, but he completely misjudged the ball and let it go into the back of the net off his hands.

Unfortunately, Bayern will come out of this match with some possible fitness issues. Daniel van Buyten was substituted mid-way through the first half with a muscle injury, while Mario Gomez was substituted off at halftime. It's not yet clear if Gomez's substitution was related to tactics or an injury.

Bayern were the better side in every facet of this game, and deserve the three points they picked up at El Madrigal this evening. Villarreal, on the other hand, haven't proven their credentials as a Champions League team either in the competition itself or La Liga this season.

For more on Villarreal, check out Villarreal USA. Keep it on our Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich StoryStream for more on this game, and head over to SB Nation Soccer for coverage of the entire UEFA Champions League and football from all around the world.

Bayern Munich have been a much better side than Villarreal in the first half of their UEFA Champions League clash, and that's demonstrated in their 1-0 lead. However, they probably deserve to lead by a larger margin, and they may regret not being able to convert more chances if Villarreal made some positive halftime adjustments.

The goal came in the 7th minute, scored by Toni Kroos. Franck Ribery provided the assist with a great low cross from the left hand side, but Villarreal's defending was poor. Kroos was left completely unmarked at the top of the penalty area, leaving him with an easy finish.

It hasn't been all positive for Bayern, though. Central defender Daniel van Buyten was forced to come out with an injury, causing a shuffle on the entire Bayern back line. Rafinha replaced him and slotted into the right back spot, while right back Phillip Lahm moved to left back and left back Holger Badstuber moved to the center of defense.

Giuseppe Rossi looks dangerous for Villarreal, but he hasn't had a ton of support. Additionally, Villarreal's narrow 4-3-1-2 formation has allowed Bayern plenty of space in wide areas, which is something the Yellow Submarine will probably want to fix in the second half.

For more on Villarreal, check out Villarreal USA. Keep it on our Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich StoryStream for more on this game, and head over to SB Nation Soccer for coverage of the entire UEFA Champions League and football from all around the world.

Over the last couple of years, Bayern Munich have had a number of problems with quality and depth in their defense. Thankfully for them and they're fans, they've solved a lot of those issues, but they might be working on a new problem at the back. Veteran defender Daniel van Buyten has been forced to come off the pitch due to what appears to be a muscle strain, and he has been replaced by Rafinha.

The switch is not a like for like one. Rafinha is an attack-minded right back, while van Buyten is a central defender. Most likely, Holger Badstuber will move from left back to the center of defense, as he is capable in both positions. Starting right back Phillip Lahm is equally adept at playing on the left, and will probably move to fill the position that Badstuber vacated, while Rafinha will play in his natural right back spot.

For more on Villarreal, check out Villarreal USA. Keep it on our Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich StoryStream for more on this game, and head over to SB Nation Soccer for coverage of the entire UEFA Champions League and football from all around the world.

After just seven minutes of play, Villarreal already trail Bayern Munich at El Madrigal. This whole 'group of death' thing is off to a terrible start for Villarreal, who are arguably the weakest of the four teams in Group A of the UEFA Champions League and can hardly afford to drop points at home. Unfortunately, they appear to be well on their way to doing that, as Bayern already have the lead that their play deserves.

Toni Kroos provided the finish for Bayern, but the goal was made by Franck Ribery. With Arjen Robben out injured again, the pressure is on Ribery to deliver goals and scoring chances for Bayern Munich, and he looks to be up to the task. Making a run with the ball down the left flank, Ribery cut a ball back to the edge of the penalty area, where Kroos was making a late run. He came through totally unmarked and finished easily, giving Bayern the lead.

For more on Villarreal, check out Villarreal USA. Keep it on our Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich StoryStream for more on this game, and head over to SB Nation Soccer for coverage of the entire UEFA Champions League and football from all around the world.

If Villarreal want a soft landing spot as they got back into the Champions League, they didn't get it. They were drawn into the Group of Death and they start play in that group against Bayern Munich, while Manchester City and Napoli also loom. Cushy, huh?

At least they get to open at home and they're going with a straight 4-4-2 to try and take down Bayern. With Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi up top they can put a scare in anyone, but the question is how their back line holds up. Arjen Robben is out of the team for the Germans, but they have Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the midfield with Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez up top. It won't be easy for the Spaniards.

Villarreal (4-3-1-2): Diego Lopez; Mateo Musacchio, Christian Zapata, Mario Gaspar, Jose Manuel Catala; Carlos Marchena, Marcos Senna, Bruno; Jonathan de Guzman; Nilmar, Giuseppe Rossi

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Daniel Van Buyten, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk; Franck Ribery, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller; Mario Gomez

For more on Villarreal, check out Villarreal USA. Keep it on our Villarreal vs. Bayern Munich StoryStream for more on this game, and head over to SB Nation Soccer for coverage of the entire UEFA Champions League and football from all around the world.