It was as if the tension built up over an entire summer was released in one single moment. For 76 minutes, the match between FC Bayern Women and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in front of a record crowd at the Allianz Arena had been at a deadlock, marked by nerves, patience and a pressure of expectation that the reigning double winners were clearly carrying on their shoulders.
Then Klara Bühl took a corner. The ball seemed to hang in the air for seconds before Vanessa Gilles powerfully headed it in, and a whole football temple exploded. 57,762 spectators jumped up as if pushed by an invisible spring and roared their relief.
Two minutes, two goals, pure ecstasy
What was previously a struggle now became ecstasy. As the celebrations were still going on in the stands, Bühl struck again, this time scoring herself with a precise volley after Jovana Damnjanović’s run and cross to make it 2-0. Two minutes, two goals, one stadium on fire. “We’re extremely happy that we managed to get the three points today,” said Bühl later. “When I can help like that off the bench, it’s even nicer. It’s the greatest thing for me to play in this stadium. It was something very special.”
The lights of the Allianz Arena were lit up in a deep red, as they so often are. But this was no ordinary day. A crowd of 57,762 people came to witness a historic game – a record in German women’s club football. Even during the warm-up, the atmosphere was palpable. Hardly a word could be heard on the pitch as the names of the players were read out.
A crowd like never before – a game that required patience
However, the game itself required patience. Bayer Leverkusen were the expected difficult opposition: disciplined, tough tackling, well organised. “It was a really tough battle, which we expected,” said Carolin Simon after the match. “In our recent meetings, they always made it incredibly hard for us. And again today. We knew we’d have to give 100 percent.”
In the first half in particular, José Barcala’s side struggled to break down the Werkself’s tight blocks. Gilles and Magdalena Eriksson were the players who had the most touches of the ball in the first 45 minutes, a sign of the arduous nature of the match. Bayern did have a good early chance for Lea Schüller, but Leverkusen goalkeeper Friederike Repohl saved well and the rebound hit the side netting. At the other end, Ena Mahmutovic was also called into action a number of times in the first half.
New head coach Barcala responded at half-time and brought on Bühl for Schüller. It was a change that had an effect. “We knew that Leverkusen can put pressure on over a long time,” explained the Spaniard at full time. “We made some adjustments at the break and were a competely different team after that, with control, more courage and shorter passing.”
Despite increasing pressure, the better chances initially fell to the visitors: Kögel narrowly missed the target and Grant had a goal disallowed for handball. But Bayern remained calm. Eight minutes after Damnjanović had struck the bar, the deadlock was finally broken: Bühl corner, Gilles header, 1-0. Then 2-0, almost in one fell swoop. Damnjanović squared the ball, Bühl picked her spot and finished brilliantly. “I thought it was good that we stayed patient,” added Simon. “We kept believing and were rewarded. I’m very proud of this team.”
Perfect debuts for Gilles & Barcala
For Gilles, who not only scored on her Bundesliga debut but also impressed in defence with her clear positioning, strength in challenges and presence, it was a fairytale evening. The Canadian slotted seamlessly into Bayern's game and exuded calm and confidence from the very first minute. After the final whistle, she spoke with shining eyes about her first competitive match in a Bayern shirt: “Playing in front of so many people at the Allianz Arena was just incredible. Of course, it's nice to score a goal yourself but winning as a team is even more enjoyable. And the waving scarves after the goal – that's something I particularly love here in Germany.”
It was a no less significant introduction for head coach Barcala, who got to celebrate a successful start with his side after an intensive pre-season – both in a sporting sense and personally. For him, the evening was much more than a mere opening match: it was a moment that demonstrated the work of the previous weeks. “The pressure dropped off after the first goal and the players were finally able to show their best side,” he summarised. “The crowd was extraordinary. This close connection to the fans is the result of a long, shared journey.”
A red rising
The tens of thousands of excited fans at the Allianz Arena lended the opener a special magic. Not only was it a successful start to the league campaign, but also an evening that will be remembered – as an expression of growing enthusiasm for women’s football in Munich.
At the same time, it was clear on the pitch that these moments don’t just live off the setting but also the substance. As the match went on, the German champions increasingly took control, played with more maturity and ultimately settled the contest through individual quality and team spirit. For the 57,762 spectators, 6 September 2025 is a date that will reverberate. It was more than a game. It was a promise. An evening that sparked. One in which Vanessa Gilles made the Arena tremble, and Klara Bühl made it shine.
The match report:
Topics of this article