There are players who embrace the game like it's a second skin. Pernille Harder is one of them. Her movements aren't hurried, but deliberate, almost dance-like. She doesn't sprint, she glides. And when she strikes the ball, it's not simply with random force, but with an elegance reminiscent of those rare female artists who turn football into poetry.
On this Monday evening in Dortmund, in the venerable Rote Erde Stadion, in the first meeting between these two great clubs, the stage belonged to her. It took just two moments for her to make the difference. For the first one, she was in the right place at the right time, and for the second, she used all the determination and experience that have characterised her game for years. It was Harder who decided this clash. Not loudly, but with the clarity of a player who knows how to shape games.
The Rote Erde stadium as her stage
The venerable Rote Erde stadium, which has always been a centre of Westphalian football tradition, welcomed an impressive crowd that evening. Over 15,000 spectators filled the stands. The voices of the fans merged into a roaring chorus that carried the players on both sides. The Black and Yellows vs. the Reds, young against experienced, new beginnings against the established side. And in the middle of it all, a team from Munich who fulfilled their task with cool precision and passionate dedication. "It was something very special to start the game in a setting like this,” said Giulia Gwinn later. "If someone had told me a few years ago that over 15,000 spectators would turn up for the first round of the cup, I wouldn't have thought it possible."
Harder with the first, Harder with the second
The game began as expected, with Bayern pressing and Dortmund holding firm. Klara Bühl repeatedly caused problems on the left flank, but the Black & Yellow’s defence stood firm, led by some brilliant goalkeeping from van der Laan. Until the 27th minute. It was Harder who was in the right place when van der Laan made two saves - first from Alara and then Caruso. But even she had no chance of stopping the Dane's shot. 1-0 for Bayern.
The second strike came just six minutes later. Gwinn started the move, Harder set off at a gallop, left her opponent standing and finished from a tight angle to make it 2-0. Two goals from the same player that decided the game before it had really gathered pace. "They were my first goals of the season and it felt good," said the 32-year-old after the final whistle." The first half was good, but I think we could have done more. Respect to Dortmund. They made it difficult for us in the second half."
Two sides to the same evening
Whilst the first half seemed to be a confident affair, the second became a touchstone. Bayern made changes, Dortmund became bolder and suddenly the Rote Erde was on tenterhooks. The hosts came close to closing the gap twice and Bayern had to battle to hold onto the clean sheet.
Coach José Barcala observed the game with the sober view of an analyst: "The first half was pretty good, but I have to be honest and say I'm not happy with the second half. We had a clear plan. In the second half, we were out of position and too far away from each other, and the coordination wasn't right. The key to success will be communication. We'll have to work on that"
Clean sheet extended - six wins from six games
Six competitive matches, six wins, just two goals conceded in the Supercup against VfL Wolfsburg. It's an almost flawless record. The defence, featuring Vanessa Gilles, Ena Mahmutovic and Magdalena Eriksson, was solid. Harder decided the game with her precision up front. And yet: Bayern not only demonstrated dominance, but also elegance, patience and respect for their opponents.
Harder summed up the evening: "It was an important win. Maybe not our best game, but the important thing is that we've progressed. Dortmund are a big club and I'm delighted they now have a women's team. That's good for football in Germany."
When the ref blew for full time, the spectators in the Rote Erde all got to their feet and applauded. Not only for the winners, but also for their own players, who were proud in defeat. Bayern had won, Dortmund had earned their respect. For the Munich side, it was a first step on the way to defending the trophy. For women's football and Borussia Dortmund, it was an evening that showed just how much enthusiasm there now is for the game in this country. And for Pernille Harder, it was a reminder of why she's one of those players who can not only decide games, but also shape them. That's how this Monday will be remembered. Not just as a first win against BVB, but as an evening that once again revealed Pernille Harder's importance to FC Bayern Women: not just in that moment, but as a shining example for the whole of the season."
Read our match report on the clash against BVB:
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