FC Bayern Women host defending champions Arsenal in the Champions League

FC Bayern Women return to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday as they host Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Kick-off is at 18:45 CET. Tickets are still available to purchase. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 3 encounter against the defending champions.

Latest news from Bayern

Bayern got on the board in the league phase last time out as Lea Schüller’s late goal earned a 2-1 win at home to Juventus. Results are also coming on the domestic front, with last Friday’s 4-0 win over Union Berlin the Munich Frauen’s seventh in a row in the Google Pixel Bundesliga to keep them top of the standings.

Germany’s champions will now want to build on that momentum as they return to continental action against none other than the defending champions. Bayern and Arsenal have met four times before in the Champions League, with the respective home team winning each time. That includes two thrilling encounters last season, with FCB claiming a brilliant 5-2 win at the Campus in the group stage before a 3-2 reverse in North London. This fixture now returns to Munich and at the Allianz Arena as Bayern look to produce another statement result.

Opponent: Arsenal

Arsenal won the Champions League last season thanks to a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the final. This term hasn’t got off to the best start, with the Gunners sitting fourth in the English Women’s Super League after eight games. They were held to a 1-1 draw by league leaders Chelsea at the weekend. The defence of their European crown has also been mixed so far, opening with a 2-1 loss to OL Lyonnes before a 2-0 victory at Benfica in their second game.

Bayern prepare to host Arsenal on the back of 10 home games without defeat in the Champions League’s group stage/league phase (W10, D3). It’s a record in the competition shared with Chelsea and Barcelona for most home fixtures in the preliminary phase without ever losing.

🔎 Get the lowdown on Arsenal here:

Team news

Head coach José Barcala remains without long-term absentees Sarah Zadrazil and Lena Oberdorf (both cruciate ligament). Tuva Hansen also isn’t fit yet following her ankle injury, but Vanessa Gilles, Ena Mahmutovic, Carolin Simon and Schüller are all ready to return.

Pre-match quotes

José Barcala: “Arsenal are really good in transition. We need to win the ball back quickly in those situations and be effective in getting in the way. We need to play as a compact and organised team and take our own chances in transition. We’re expecting them to press very high at times, so we need to be tactically mature and emotionally sound on the pitch. We’ll try to be dominant when possible.”

Mala Grohs: “I have fond memories of the home game against Arsenal last year. It was an intense match with lots of goals that we were ultimately able to win in convincing fashion. We need to be prepared for all possible situations tomorrow, since the game will have different phases to it. We’re excited about the game at the Allianz Arena.”

Hear more from Barcala and Grohs here:

Take a look back at Bayern’s previous matches at the Allianz Arena: