FC Bayern Women claim advantage in first leg at Manchester United

• Narrow win in first leg
• Harder scores brace, Tanikawa with the winner
• Second leg next Wednesday at Allianz Arena

FC Bayern Women took the first step towards the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a 3-2 win in the first leg of the quarter-final at Manchester United on Wednesday night. Watched on by president Herbert Hainer at Old Trafford, the Munich girls took an early lead after just two minutes thanks to Pernille Harder. Maya Le Tissier equalised for the hosts midway through the first half (24’). In the second half, Harder struck again (71’) before Hanna Lundkvist (76’) restored parity for the Red Devils. However, Momoko Tanikawa (84’) had the final word to ensure that Bayern came away with a 3-2 victory.

The return leg takes place at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday at 18:45 CEST (tickets available here).

Barcala: ’Very pleased with how the team played’

José Barcala: “It’s special to win at this stadium against Manchester United. The opponents pushed us to our limits and we had to defend very well in a lot of situations. I’m very pleased with how the team played and approached the game. We had the quality and the clear plan. But we’ve only achieved 50 percent – only the first half has been played. Now it will come down to the details. It will be very testing, so we need the energy of our fans at the Allianz Arena next week.”

Close-fought first period

The German double winners enjoyed the perfect start at Old Trafford, taking the lead with the first chance. Arianna Caruso released Harder with a long ball over the top and the Dane outpaced United captain Le Tissier before slotting the ball home. The hosts recovered, though, and created their first good opportunity on 18 minutes. From a corner, Jess Park’s initial effort was blocked and then former Bayern player Julia Zigiotti Olme fired over from the rebound.

Soon after that, the Red Devils were rewarded for their efforts. A cross from another ex-Bayern woman, Lea Schüller, hit the arm of Glódís Viggósdóttir in the box, and referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo awarded a penalty – which Le Tissier confidently put away. After that it was an open contest. Viggósdóttir fired narrowly over the bar from a corner in the 38th minute, and two minutes later at the other end, Schüller dragged a shot just wide of the target.

Tanikawa with the winner

The second half was similarly hard-fought. Bayern had more of the ball but it was United who had the first sight of goal: in the 52nd minute, Melvine Malard hit the side netting with an effort on the turn. Five minutes later, Malard lost the ball on the edge of her own box and Harder was presented with an opportunity from 16 metres, but her low shot landed in the arms of goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Soon after that, Bayern regained the lead with a goal that was very reminiscent of the first. This time it was substitute Tanikawa who played in Harder, and again the striker showed composure to fire past Tullis-Joyce at full speed. But United hit back again, Lundkvist rising highest to head in the equaliser from a precise cross. However, the Munich side prevailed in the end: in the 84th minute, Tanikawa received the ball just inside the penalty area and curled it into the far corner to make it 3-2.

Nürnberg before United come to Allianz Arena

There’s little time for José Barcala’s side to rest. On Saturday they host Nürnberg in a Bavarian derby in the Women’s Bundesliga at the FC Bayern Campus (kick-off 14:00 CEST). That’s followed by the quarter-final second leg against Manchester United at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday, 1 April. Kick-off in north Munich is at 18:45 CEST.