FCB Women visit Meppen: 'We'll turn in a strong performance'

After being narrowly knocked out of the Champions League against Arsenal on Wednesday night (1-2 on aggregate), FC Bayern Women are looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Bundesliga. On Sunday 2 April they lock horns with ninth-placed SV Meppen, kicking off at 13:00 CEST. A win would be another important step towards the German championship. The state of play, pre-match quotes, team news – it's all in the preview.

The state of play

Still without defeat in the Bundesliga in 2023, five consecutive clean sheets and league leaders since the 1-0 win in the top-of-the-table clash against VfL Wolfsburg last Saturday. The winning goal courtesy of Georgia Stanway's 84th-minute penalty was just rewards for an impressive performance against the She-Wolves. As a result, Alexander Straus' side now have the title in their hands with six matchdays left.

The opponents

Promoted side Meppen haven't picked up any points since a 1-1 draw against SGS Essen on Matchday 13, losing to previously winless Turbine Potsdam last time out. With just four points from their last 10 matches, SVM are in the thick of the relegation battle. They're only outside the relegation zone on goal difference above MSV Duisburg. After the meeting with Bayern, the Lower Saxony side face some crunch matches following the international break, travelling to Bremen before hosting Duisburg.

The statistics

The head-to-head record also clearly favour FCB, who have won all five meetings between the two sides with an aggregate score of 21-2. Bayern fans have celebrated at least three goals in each game.

The team news

Straus continues to be without the services of long-term absentees Giulia Gwinn (ACL tear) and Linda Dallmann (syndesmosis tear). Defenders Carolin Simon (muscular problem) and Tainara (ankle problem) are also ruled out again in Meppen.

The pre-match quotes

Head coach Alexander Straus: "We need to find our form again. It was obviously a disappointment in London, but now it's time to show that we bounce back well. I think we've largely recovered from the busy weeks and are ready for the coming matches, which are now all important. If we live up to our own expectations, we'll be successful. Of course we've had a lot of matches and a squad decimated by injuries, but the players have pulled through fantastically and they'll do that again against Meppen."

Georgia Stanway: "I think Meppen will throw everything at us defensively. We'll need to overcome that, which won't be easy. We want to go some way to making up for our result in the Champions League and we've worked very hard since then. Obviously there was overriding disappointment at first, but the atmosphere's good again now and we're back on track. We'll turn in a strong performance against Meppen."

Tickets for the cup semi-final against Wolfsburg go on sale on Monday: