FC Bayern Women grind out victory over Köln

FC Bayern Women made it five wins from five in the Google Pixel Bundesliga this season as they ground out a 1-0 victory at home to Köln ahead of kicking off their UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign next week. After a goalless first half, substitute Klara Bühl struck the only goal of the afternoon at a sold-out FC Bayern Campus. The result moves Bayern onto the maximum haul of 15 points and keeps them top of the table, five clear of four teams on 10 points.

Three changes

Head coach Alexander Straus made three changes to the team that started last weekend’s 4-0 win at Werder Bremen. Captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir was serving a suspension and replaced in defence by Carolin Simon. Sydney Lohmann and Jovana Damnjanovic also came in for Linda Dallmann and Bühl. Sarah Zadrazil again missed out with a muscular issue, while Julia Zigiotti was ill.

Goalless first 45

The reigning champions needed a bit of time to exert their dominance against a bold Köln side. The first good chance came after 14 minutes from Lea Schüller, but she was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Josefine Osigus. Shortly after, Damnjanovic fired wide after a free-kick into the area. At the other end, Mala Grohs saved from Alena Bienz. On the stroke of half-time, Schüller had another effort that went just over as it remained goalless.

Bühl strikes off the bench

The game continued in a similar pattern after the restart. Pernille Harder tested Osigus from close range, but it was substitute Bühl who finally got the breakthrough after 71 minutes when she fired into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. Bayern then set about securing the result, with only the narrow scoreline keeping things tense till the end.

Arsenal at home, Wolfsburg away

Bayern will now prepare to begin their Champions League campaign as they welcome Arsenal to the Campus for the opening group game on Wednesday (kick-off: 6.45pm CEST). That match is followed by the big one domestically as the champions go to Wolfsburg on Saturday (5.45pm).