Bayern Munich defeated SV Werder Bremen 3-1 in a result that goes a long way toward cementing the defending champions’ status as Frauen-Bundesliga top dogs.
The FC Bayern Frauen entered the match with a perfect season, but with VfL Wolfsburg also nipping at their heels. The She-Wolves recorded a 3-1 road win over Eintracht Frankfurt concurrently, while Bayern’s battles began with the lineup.
José Barcala’s squad was wracked with absences, from winger Klara Bühl — rested due to workload — to goalkeeper
Ena Mahmutovic, who was suspended, and reserve winger Sophie Proost, who was out sick. A certain amount of rotation was in order as well, with an upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain; midfielder Momoko Tanikawa started from the bench, along with Franziska Kett and injury returnees Giulia Gwinn and Jovana Damnjanović.
Bayern struck first in the 21st minute through a strong header from striker Edna Imade, set up perfectly via right-back Sarah Mattner-Trembleau’s cross. However, the Bavarians could not add to their advantage before the break, coming closest with a penalty shout from Pernille Harder after a challenge with goalkeeper Vanessa Fischer in the box. Harder was judged to have been the fouling party and earned a yellow card for her troubles, to her surprise and dismay.
Mattner-Trembleau saved a curling attempt from a dangerously positioned Lilli Purtscheller in the box late in the half to preserve Bayern’s lead into the break. But the talented Bremen winger could not be denied for long; she arrived on the end of an Elena Dhont cross to bundle in an equalizer in the 50th minute past Bayern’s No. 2 goalkeeper, Regina van Eijk.
For a while, it looked like it would be the first shared spoils of the league season for the reigning champions, or worse. Bayern, however, turned on the jets late. Linda Dallmann collected the pieces after a Kassandra Potsi zinger in the 84th minute, and only a couple of minutes later, Jovana Damnjanović — slipped in expertly by Tanikawa — placed her shot past Fischer’s outstretched arms. In a flash, Bayern was up 3-1 and from there threatened even more, with Giulia Gwinn in a similar position to Damnjanović dragging her shot wide in stoppage time to spare the visitors from further damage.
Werder had made a game of it by taking one of only two big chances presented all night. But the Bavarians went three-for-three, and while they could have arguably been more threatening with their overall edge in possession and ball control, they emerged as well-deserved victors.
Highlights below:
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