Revealed: Jhon Duran’s stunning goal that left Manuel Neuer red-faced was PLANNED, claims Unai Emery, as details of 90-minute tactics session emerge following win over Bayern Munich
Unai Emery revealed Manuel Neuer had fallen into Aston Villa’s trap after they delivered a stunning win over Bayern Munich.
Substitute Jhon Duran lobbed Neuer – who was some way from his line – late on as Villa repeated the most famous result in their history, the 1-0 win over Bayern in Rotterdam in the 1982 European Cup Final.
‘In the analysis we did, we were speaking about how the position of Neuer is usually high,’ said Emery. ‘Some players have the talent to shoot early and when Jhon Duran has the ball he can score immediately.
‘He scored a similar goal last year against Hibernian. Pau Torres passed behind the defence and that time he dribbled past the goalkeeper. This time he shot first time.’
Bayern, meanwhile, will be sick of the sight of Villa boss Unai Emery. He was in charge of Paris St Germain when they suffered their last defeat in the Champions League group stages, in September 2017.
Unai Emery has revealed how Aston Villa plotted to capitalise upon a Bayern Munich weakness
Jhon Duran came off the bench to score the only goal of the Champions League tie
His looped effort left Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer redfaced after rushing off line
And Emery was at the helm when Villarreal knocked out Bayern in the quarter-finals two years ago, one of the competition’s most surprising results of modern times.
‘Against teams like that, it’s very important to be strong,’ said Emery. ‘Martinez did an amazing job and made amazing saves.
‘We have to try to play well in each match. We competed very well and we won. Maybe we can get the first eight positions.’
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany tried to play down the significance of the defeat, with six matches of the league phase still remaining – though no loss can ever be written off when you are in charge of the most prestigious club in Germany.
He said: ‘It’s a bitter result but it won’t be decisive for the outcome of the Champions League. We don’t need to take in the context of history.
‘We had big chances and didn’t score, then we gave away a moment and they scored. It’s a special night for them but it doesn’t decide anything. When we have chances we have to convert them but I’m confident we’ll score plenty of goals.’
Earlier on in the evening, Emiliano Martinez spoke to TNT Sports and confirmed the information which Emery had mentioned.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Villa goalkeeper Martinez said of Duran: ‘He’s been on fire, he came back with a different mentality this season.
Duran also revealed how Aston Villa plotted to capitalise upon a Bayern Munich weakness
Emiliano Martinez also heaped praise on Duran and revealed how Villa prepared their tactics
‘He’s willing to work hard, pushing Ollie all the way. He’s a super sub. First time he touches the ball he lobs Neuer, one of the best goalies in history.
‘We know that Neuer plays high, we watch a lot of movies with the manager – an hour and a half this morning! – so he had that in his mind’.
Duran now has six goals in the 2024-25 campaign despite playing as a back-up to Ollie Watkins in Unai Emery’s side.
In the Premier League, Duran is yet to start a game but has still managed to score four goals in six games after coming off the bench.
