Lead consolidated: FCB Women continue winning run against Leverkusen

Nine wins on the spin! FC Bayern Women recorded their next victory in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga on Sunday afternoon to consolidate their position at the top of the table. Head coach Alexander Straus’ side beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-0 at home thanks to second-half goals from Klara Bühl and Lea Schüller.

Future Matchday at Campus

The home match against Leverkusen took place as part of the Future Matchday at the FC Bayern Campus. A special programme with a focus on sustainability was on offer for the fans. Spectators who travelled to the match by public transport or bicycle were able to enjoy a small giveaway from matchday presenter Viessmann. Before the match, there was also a panel discussion with Michael Diederich, deputy CEO of FC Bayern, and Bianca Rech, director of FC Bayern Women.

Four changes

Straus made four changes from the 4-1 defeat at Lyon in midweek. Ena Mahmutovic rotated for Maria Luisa Grohs in goal again, fit-again captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir returned at centre-back, Sarah Zadrazil replaced Jovana Damnjanović and Alara Şehitler started in place of Momoko Tanikawa.

Goalkeepers in the spotlight

The German champions dominated the game from the start but initially failed to create clear-cut opportunities. Julia Zigiotti produced the first threatening action, narrowly missing the target with a shot from 16 metres. A few minutes later, Alara had a go from a similar position but her effort sailed over.

The visitors also announced themselves in attack, with Kristian Kögel forcing a good save from Mahmutovic with a powerful finish from 18 metres. The hosts then had the best chance of the first half just after the half-hour mark, when Pernille Harder’s header from Giulia Gwinn’s cross was foiled by a brilliant save by Friederike Repohl. Shortly before the break, Bühl won possession in the box but her shot from a tight angle flew wide, and so the first half finished goalless.

Quickfire double

The Munich girls also needed a while to find their way in the second half. Leverkusen had two attempts on the Bayern goal but Mahmutovic had no problems both times. The first big chance since the restart then resulted in the opening goal, Harder threading the ball through for Bühl, who finished into the far corner from 15 metres. Less than a quarter of an hour later, Straus’ side were celebrating again. Alara burst through the midfield with a strong solo run and teed up Bühl. She showed vision to deliver a pinpoint cross into the penalty area, where substitute Schüller was in the right place to head in the second goal. Leverkusen threw everything forward in the final 20 minutes but thanks to a disciplined defensive display, the 2-0 victory was never in danger.

International break followed by crunch clash

After a full-on month of March with several big matches in a short space of time, the players now travel to their respective national teams before resuming with a top-of-the-table clash in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. On Saturday 12 April, Bayern travel to second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park, where kick-off is at 14:00 CEST. FCB Women’s next home fixture is on Sunday 27 April against SC Freiburg (14:00 CEST).