Bayern Munich roared into the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League after a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
The win saw the Bavarians advance 5-3 on aggregate after a 3-2 win at Old Trafford last week. However, it was anything but smooth sailing this time around, despite the first leg and home field advantage.
The Red Devils came out guns blazing, taking the fight to the home side and managing to smother them. Bayern produced scarcely a chance in the first
half, while Manchester United found frequent joy with long balls in behind on either flank. The warning signs flashed from the opening whistle, and it was not long before one of these caused enough confusion in the Bayern backline — goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic rushing out, defender Vanessa Gilles getting to it first — to create a scuffle that resulted in Melvine Mallard finding herself with the ball at her feet and an empty net in front of her.
The early goal, just 11 minutes into the contest, appeared to rattle Bayern — but only until the break. José Barcala’s side showed a different face in the second half and began to assert their advantage just as United began to flag, although the breakthrough took a while to find.
Still, as in the first leg, Bayern’s experience level in the competition showed through. Captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir rose to the occasion and rose to meet a corner in the 82nd minute to restore Bayern’s edge. Then, less than three minutes later, another Bayern corner produced the finishing blow — Linda Dallmann this time picking up the pieces of a mad scramble in front of goal to volley in from near the penalty spot.
It was not the most convincing of performances but Bayern will take it, having overcome a sleepwalking first half to settle in and produce a decisive and deserved victory. A bigger test likely awaits in the next round…but that is a problem for another day.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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