Brilliant Bayern beat Barcelona in front of record crowd

FC Bayern Women claimed a 3-1 victory over Barcelona on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage as they made history in front of 24,000 spectators at the Allianz Arena – a record attendance for a Frauen home game. Klara Bühl and captain Lina Magull both struck inside the opening 10 minutes. Lea Schüller added a third on the hour mark before Geyse got one back for the visitors shortly after.

Bayern coach Alexander Straus made one change to his team compared to the one that started the 3-0 loss at the Camp Nou at the end of November. That saw Sydney Lohmann replace Franziska Kett.

Double Bayern blow in opening minutes

The atmosphere from the stands at the Allianz Arena was excellent and pushed the Women from the very start. It took just four minutes for Bayern to take the lead when Lohmann delivered the ball from the right and Bühl marked her 22nd birthday with the finish. Even then, Straus’s team continued to push and launched attack after attack.

They reaped the reward with only 10 minutes gone as Schüller delivered from the left and Magull picked out the far bottom corner from right of centre. After a blistering start, Barcelona had more of the ball but Bayern were looking to counter. The best chance for the Catalans came on 32 minutes through Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, but FCB goalkeeper Maria-Luisa Grohs was equal to her effort.

Barca make the play, Bayern the goals

With Bayern president Herbert Hainer watching on, Barcelona continued to apply pressure after the break but they were either halted by the steadfast Tainara and the FCB defence or Grohs in goal. The keeper produced an excellent save to deny Aitana Bonmati before thwarting Crnogorcevic again. Bayern then went up the other end and struck again with their first effort of the second period, Schüller nodding in a Magull cross into the far corner. The visitors continued to run hard but failed to muster up anything other than a consolation from Geyse on 68 minutes.

Three more games in 2022

Bayern Women have three games left to play this calendar year. Their final Bundesliga fixture is at the FC Bayern Campus against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday before a Champions League double header as they look to guarantee progress to the knockout stage against Rosengard (15 December) and Benfica (21 December).

📸 Check out the best photos from the game: