FC Bayern Women put fans through the full range of emotions in a classic, nerve-jangling DFB Cup encounter before the brilliant Mala Grohs ensured progress to the final in Cologne with her penalty shootout heroics against Eintracht Frankfurt. fcbayern.com looks back on the highlights of Sunday’s semi-final.
Georgia Stanway scored an early penalty to put Bayern ahead against Frankfurt.
Head coach Alexander Straus and his team were fully aware of how tough this semi-final against Frankfurt would be, but the hosts made the better start at the FC Bayern Campus when Georgia Stanway put away a penalty inside just four minutes.
However, Eintracht, who had joined Bayern in this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage and had taken a point from the league meeting at the Allianz Arena in October, struck back only 12 minutes later through Geraldine Reuteler. As was the case in the Bundesliga encounter in Frankfurt only a couple of weeks ago, things were then tight with neither side giving any ground.
Magnificent Mala
Mala Grohs saved three of Frankfurt’s four penalties in the shootout.
It meant there was no winner after 120 minutes of this semi-final, which would be decided on penalties. Up stepped goalkeeper Grohs as the 22-year-old superbly saved three of Eintracht’s four spot-kicks to lead Bayern into the final.
“She’s fantastic. Her calmness and charisma are very good for our team,” enthused Straus of his goalkeeper after the game. Grohs herself appeared pleased afterwards but also somewhat surprised at her own performance and the club’s first final appearance since 2018. “I’m just very happy and glad that I could do my job, I’ve never experienced anything like today before. Saving three penalties in a shootout is really incredible.”
Mala Grohs’ shootout heroics led Bayern to the DFB Cup final in Cologne.
It’s the first time in six years that Bayern will get to contest the showpiece, which will be held at Cologne’s RheinEnergieStadion on 9 May. The opponents will be old rivals and nine-time defending champions Wolfsburg, who beat Essen 9-0 on Saturday. Having done the double over the She-Wolves in the Bundesliga this season, the Munich ladies will go into this “dream final” full of confidence, but also aware of what Wolfsburg are capable of as they try to retain Germany’s cup once more. But with plenty of support from the stands and players with the ability of Grohs, Bayern should be more than prepared for the final as they look to lift the DFB Cup for only the second time after 2012.
🧤🧱💯 Enjoy watching all three Grohs saves in the shootout:
Reaction to Sunday’s semi-final:
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