FCB Women out after 2-0 defeat to Arsenal

FC Bayern Women were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League after a 2-0 defeat in the second leg at Arsenal WFC on Wednesday night. The English side overturned Bayern's 1-0 win in the first leg thanks to early goals from Frida Maanum (20') and Stina Blackstenius (26'). The Munich girls improved after the break but couldn't capitalise.

Two changes to starting XI

Coach Alexander Straus made two changes to his starting line-up following the victory over VfL Wolfsburg in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash. Franziska Kett started in place of Sydney Lohmann and Lea Schüller was preferred to Jovana Damnjanović.

Maanum and Blackstenius turn around first-leg result

There was little fluidity in the game to begin with. The hosts took the lead with the first real chance in the 20th minute, when Bayern failed to get the ball away from their own penalty area and Manuum smashed it into the left corner. Arsenal completed the turnaround just six minutes later, Katie McCabe getting through down the left side and crossing into the centre, where Blackstenius rose highest to head in. Bayern fashioned their first opportunity in the 33rd minute. After good play from Klara Bühl, Kett went for goal from 15 metres but the ball sailed over. Arsenal had a number of chances to make it 3-0 in the closing stages of the first half, but FCB goalkeeper Mala Grohs made two brilliant saves from Blackstenius while a deflected cross from Noelle Maritz landed on the crossbar.

Improved performance to no avail

The visitors were significantly better in the second period. In the 59th minute, Bayern combined well in the penalty area and Bühl had a shot, but Lotte Wubben-Moy made a crucial last-ditch block. From the resulting corner, captain Lina Magull flicked the ball towards goal but Souza Rafaelle was able to clear. The Gunners remained a threat themselves and had their best chance for a third goal after 73 minutes, but Caitlin Foord fired over from 12 metres following good play from Maanum. Bayern threw everything forward in the latter stages but fell short in the end.

Meppen on Sunday, international break, Wolfsburg in the cup

Straus' side conclude a busy period away to SV Meppen in the Bundesliga on Sunday (13:00 CEST), where they'll be looking to maintain their position at the top of the table. After that there's an international break, before the cup semi-final cracker against Wolfsburg at home on 15 April.