Important European Cup victory: Bayern’s women won against top club Arsenal in the Champions League. One player excelled.
The FC Bayern Munich soccer team won the first leg of the quarter-finals in the Champions League 1-0 (1-0) against Arsenal. National player Lea Schüller scored the winning goal for the Bayern women (39th minute) against the English first division team.
In front of 20,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena, Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum had her best opportunity of the game in the 20th minute. However, the Norwegian failed from close range to Bayern goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs. On the other hand, Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger was powerless against Schüller’s header. Under the eyes of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, the strong attacker almost raised shortly before the break, but Schüller’s shot went just wide of the target (45′).
After the break, the London team pressed for the equaliser. Caitlin Foord hit the post from a distance (52′). After that, the Munich team needed several rescue operations on or just before the goal line. First Schüller cleared the ball in dire need, a few moments later Bayern’s Saki Kumagai was there in time (61′). But that’s not all: In the 70th minute, Schüller scraped a Leah Williamson shot off the line. After a counterattack by Munich in the closing stages, Maximiliane Rall (86′) almost made it 2-0, but Zinsberger was on the ball.
The game in minutes
End of game – FC Bayern Munich – FC Arsenal 1:0 (1:0)
That was a very important victory for the Munich team – and an extremely lucky one at that. Thanks to the outstanding Lea Schüller, who not only scored the goal of the day but also saved it with a great move on her own goal line, FCB go to London with a win for the second leg. However, coach Straus should worry about how things came about, because Arsenal were clearly better – especially in the second half. Nevertheless, Schüller’s conclusion is: “I am very satisfied.”
86. Minute – Huge chance for Bayern: Rall gets the ball four meters in front of the goal, but it fails because of keeper Zinsberger.
85. Minute – Now Magull also leaves the square. Warp comes into play for them.
81. Minute – Arsenal’s pressure has eased a bit. The game is now broken again.
77. Minute – Schüller limps to the sidelines and is substituted for Damnjanovic.
76. Minute – Now Schüller is down for almost a minute after a foul. It must have hit Bayern properly. This does not look good.
70. Minute – … but Schüller clears the ball on the line. Again, the hostesses are very lucky. But also students! The forward is by far the best player on the pitch.
70. Minute – Phew, now the Bavarians are literally begging for an equaliser. After a confusing situation in the penalty area, Williamson gets the ball in the six-yard box – shoots,…
61. Minute – … a lot of dizziness. The ball was almost in. That was truly a feat by Zadrazil.
61. Minute – The game is now picking up speed. Blackstenius jumps over two Bavarians in the six-yard box and also overplays goalkeeper Grohs with a header – but Zadrazil clears the line when he falls in dire need! Then Bavaria had…
59. Minute – … but her shot is blocked.
59. Minute – But Bayern has Schüller! She skilfully initiates a counterattack, after a considerable ball relay the ball comes to Rall, who moves from the goal line with a lot of overview to the 1-0 goal scorer lurking in the penalty area. Schüller takes the ball directly from the air with a lot of risk, …
58. Minute – … compensation is only a matter of time.
57. Minute – The Munich women just don’t get access, it always feels like they’re a step or two too late. If it continues like this, …