CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Nagelsmann calls on Bayern stars to step up against Villarreal

Villarreal players celebrate after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match against Bayern at Estadio de la Ceramica. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa.

"The leaders in our team and everyone else need to know that we have a responsibility to uphold and that we all want to advance," he said

Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann has called on his team's stars to lead the way into the Champions League semi-finals when they meet Villarreal on Tuesday.

"The leaders in our team and everyone else need to know that we have a responsibility to uphold and that we all want to advance," he said.

"There's a lot at stake, which is why we also have to give it everything."

Bayern turned in a disappointing performance to lose 1-0 in Spain last week and will have to improve considerably in the second leg of their quarter-final against the Europa League champions if they are to progress.

"We can't give Villarreal the time they need to find their rhythm," said Nagelsmann. "We need to be more unpleasant to play against."

Central defender Niklas Süle is out with flu and will join full back Bouna Sarr, midfielder Corentin Tolisso and attacker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on the sidelines.

There is better news for Nagelsmann as French World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez is available again having missed the weekend Bundesliga win over Augsburg with a thigh injury.

Manuel Neuer

Captain Manuel Neuer also demanded better from his team-mates in a bid to repeat the Champions League success of 2020.

"We have a lot of ambitious players in the squad," he said. "We aren't to be trifled with after losing the first leg.

"We want to play to the best of our abilities and will also have the support from the fans.

We know what it's like to go into a knockout game on the back of a negative first-round result. We aren't afraid."