Semi-finals! FCB Women win cup drama against Frankfurt

Into the next round! FC Bayern Women reached the semi-finals of the DFB Cup on Wednesday evening with a 4-1 win after extra time against Eintracht Frankfurt. Following a goalless first half, Frankfurt went in front when Caro Simon put into her own net in the 79th minute. Shortly before the end of normal time, Jovana Damnjanović netted the equaliser in front of Germany coach Christian Wück and DFB sporting director Nia Künzer. The Munich girls turned the match around in extra time with goals from Glodis Viggósdóttir (94'), Momoko Tanikawa (104') and Damnjanović (109'). The draw for the final four will be made on Monday 17 February at 20:30 CET, with the ties set to be played on 22 and 23 March.

Straus: 'Great respect for Frankfurt'

"Frankfurt are strong opponents, I have great respect for them and any encounter with them can go either way," said head coach Alexander Straus at full time. "I think we were just a bit better today. Our substitutes made the difference, but the whole team showed what they can do today. It was an exciting game and Frankfurt could've won it too, but we managed it and I'm very happy about that."

Eriksson and Grohs back in squad

Magdalena Eriksson returned to the starting line-up after missing the last match against TSG Hoffenheim because of illness. Goalkeeper Mala Grohs, who has been building up her match fitness with the reserves since her return to training, was also back in the squad. Magou Doucouré missed out again.

No goals in first half

The hosts fashioned the first opportunity of the match in the fifth minute when Lea Schüller got away down the right flank and found Sarah Zadrazil in the penalty box, but the Austrian placed the ball just over the bar. The next chance fell to Pernille Harder from a free kick, but Nicole Anyomi blocked the Dane's shot. Eintracht came into the contest more after that but the game increasingly became concentrated in midfield, with plenty of tough tackles but little in the way of clear goalscoring chances. Only towards the end of the first half was there danger again, with Elisa Senß's long-distance effort flying just wide of the target for Frankfurt.

Damnjanović with late equaliser

FCB came out strong at the start of the second period and dominated possession, but it was Frankfurt who had the big chance to take the lead in the 58th minute. Anyomi dribbled through the Munich defence and teed up striker Laura Freigang, but her shot from the right of the penalty area was well saved by Ena Mahmutovic. The current Bundesliga leaders eventually took the lead in the 79th minute, when Geraldine Reuteler missed a cross from Freigang and Simon unfortunately diverted the ball into her own net. But Bayern didn't let their heads drop and got a deserved equaliser: Klara Bühl once more showed her quality out wide and delivered a dangerous ball towards goal, where Damnjanović was on hand to bundle it in over the line to take the tie into extra time.

Tanikawa steps up

The German champions dominated extra time and were rewarded for their performance. After a corner from Bühl, Tanikawa saw off several Frankfurt defenders herself, and captain Viggósdóttir was waiting to make it 2-1. Ten minutes later, it was Tanikawa herself who scored FCB's third goal of the evening with a long-range strike after a lay-off from Harder. Then in the 109th minute, Damnjanović wrapped up a 4-1 win with her second goal and the Bavarians celebrated a place in the semi-finals.

Bremen at home next

Bayern Women are back in Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga action this Sunday, 16 February. Straus' side host SV Werder Bremen at the FC Bayern Campus, kicking off at 15:15 CET. That's followed by an international break before the next Bundesliga fixture in early March.