That gate hurt. Lea Schüller, who was lying on the floor, her face contorted with pain. And Kay-Lee de Sanders, who stood a few meters away from her, first puzzled and then stunned. After so many attempts, Schüller wanted FC Bayern Munich to take the lead in the Champions League at Ajax Amsterdam on Thursday evening. The ball came flying towards her, in the air at the height of the goal area border she took it. And she would probably have cheered shortly afterwards if Ajax goalkeeper Lize Kop had not resolutely defended her territory and had collided with the striker. The ball jumped to the right on the feet of the Ajax player de Sanders, from there over the line – and after this crucial jump start it went as hoped: FC Bayern prevailed 3-1 (0-0) in the first leg of the sixteenth-finals .
Munich coach Jens Scheuer trusted the same players as they did in the 1-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen, their tenth win in their tenth Bundesliga game. The self-confidence that the Munich women have built up through this series should take them with them into the Champions League. That was the plan. At first, however, they found it difficult and for a long time could not prevail decisively. “Today we got into the game slowly, which is unusual for us because otherwise we have always been there so far,” said Scheuer: “We have to look again to see why.” In many scenes there was a lack of precision despite good approaches. Because as well as the hosts’ defense was busy, it never became really dangerous.
After the 1-0 win, Bayern added new energy, while Ajax lost power
In the 21st minute, FC Bayern had their first real chance through Marina Hegering, but Kop blocked quickly with his shin. Ajax bravely countered, but after this attempt fell further back, defended tightly and deeply. Bayern remained adamant and determined the game. Lineth Beerensteyn, Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller and Sydney Lohmann had good ideas. But sometimes there was a lack of strength, sometimes calm, sometimes accuracy, sometimes a buyer at the final pass. And so the first half was marked by some good scenes on the part of FC Bayern, but nothing more.
After the restart and a whole series of attempts, it was de Sanders’ own goal in the 57th minute that had a major impact on the game. At Bayern there was new motivation, at Ajax power was lost. “I think that was important because it freed us up,” said Schüller. At 2-0 Lohmann got hold of the ball at the center line and dribbled past several opponents until she finished flat in the right corner so uncompromisingly and ripped that Kop could stretch as she wanted – she had no chance.
As if out of nowhere, the connection hit followed. The ball landed over the heads and feet of various players on both teams at Jonna van de Velde. The 19-year-old tried her luck from a distance and outsmarted Bayern keeper Laura Benkarth with a high shot (79th). Ajax was more determined again. But the final point was set by the guests. Simone Laudehr, who was substituted a few minutes before the goal, brought new energy to the field – and initiated the last goal of the evening himself. In midfield, she passed a ball with her right shoulder, then ran towards the penalty area, got it passed back and shot confidently into the top right corner (86th). There was no shortage of precision for a long time.
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