FCB Women lose at Arsenal

FC Bayern Women ended the year with a narrow defeat in the UEFA Women's Champions League. In the final round of group games, Alexander Straus' side, who had already secured their place in the quarter-finals, lost 3-2 at Arsenal despite a strong battling performance. The Munich girls fell behind to Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir's unfortunate own goal in the seventh minute at Meadow Park, but centre-back Magdalena Eriksson equalised shortly before the break (39') and then made it 2-1 in the 58th minute. However, Alessia Russo restored parity almost immediately (59'), before Mariona Caldentey netted the winner with a penalty in the 86th minute.

The defeat means Bayern (13 points) finish Group C in second place behind Arsenal (15). The draw for the quarter-finals takes place on 7 February 2025. 

Disappointing start

The group finale could hardly have begun in more unfortunate fashion for the German champions. While Linda Dallmann's shot from close range was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar after just 40 seconds, Viggósdóttir headed the ball into her own net from a corner in the seventh minute to make it 1-0 to the Gunners. The Munich girls didn't let the early setback throw them off track and continued to attack bravely in an intensive contest, although genuine goalscoring opportunities were in short supply for a long time.

Eriksson equalises

With 38 minutes on the clock, Pernille Harder was denied by van Domselaar after good play by Jovana Damnjanović, but the Dutch international was powerless from the resulting corner. The header from Georgia Stanway was scrambled away but Eriksson was in the right place to lash in the equaliser. Soon after that, Bayern were lucky not to concede another own goal when Sarah Zadrazil directed a ball onto the top of the crossbar.

FCB squander lead

After the break, the visitors were in command and had the ball and the opponents in their control for good periods. However, it was Arsenal who had the first big chance but Ena Mahmutovic was alert and denied Stina Blackstenius (57') following an underhit back-pass. Just one minute later, the diving Eriksson turned in Giulia Gwinn's long ball to make it 2-1 – turnaround complete. The lead lasted less than 60 seconds, though, before Russo (59') levelled at 2-2 from a corner. And there was worse to come. In the closing stages, the referee awarded a penalty to the Londoners for a handball by Tuva Hansen, which Caldentey converted to make it 3-2.

Winter break and then trip to Leipzig

Bayern Women now head off for a well-deserved winter break. They return to action at the end of January or start of February with the away match at RB Leipzig in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, with the exact date still to be confirmed.