FC Bayern through to UEFA Women’s Champions League semis
FC Bayern through to UEFA Women’s Champions League semis FC Bayern Frauen progress to the Women’s Champions League semi-final for the first time since 2020/21 after knocking out Manchester United 5-3 on aggregate. Following their poor first-half display, the Bavarians secured a comeback victory over the debutants at the Allianz Arena. Manchester United had an encouraging start to the game, with three golden chances inside the first 15 minutes for Melvine Malard.
Ena Mahmutovic made two decent saves, but the French international did manage to level the aggregate score. Jayde Riviere’s through pass caused havoc on Bayern’s defense as a miscommunication between Vanessa Gilles and Mahmutovic led to a simple finish by Malard. The 22-year-old goalkeeper was also tested with the unexpected trajectory of Jess Park’s cross as the visitors held on to their momentum.
Bayern improved in the final 15 minutes of the first-half as Gilles had their first two chances of the game from set-piece opportunities. However, they did finish the half without a single shot on target. Carolin Simon’s incisive set-piece deliveries continued to ask questions, but Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s first save of the game was from Pernille Harder’s effort in open play.
Bayern completely looked a different side after the restart as Manchester United players were forced to station inside their own half. Maya Le Tissier was next to deny Harder after some intricate play by Bayern in tight spaces. From the resulting corner-kick, Marc Skinner’s side desperately cleared the ball from the danger zone.
Linda Dallmann was at the heart of Bayern’s attacks, and she sets up the next chance for Giulia Gwinn. The attack-minded fullback was denied by Millie Turner as Bayern’s appeal for handball was waved away by the referee. When it looked like one of those days (halves) for Bayern, the hosts got their reward ten minutes before time.