FC Bayern Women away at Werder Bremen ahead of Champions League semi-final in Barcelona

After FC Bayern Women secured the Bundesliga title last Wednesday thanks to a 3-2 win at Union Berlin, this week – sandwiched between the two Champions League semi-final clashes against Barcelona – sees them play their rearranged match from Matchday 18 in the Women’s Bundesliga against Werder Bremen. Kick-off on pitch 11 at the Weserstadion is at 18:00 CEST.

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In the 69th minute of the game that evening, all it took was a moment of resolve. Franziska Kett had the ball and looked up briefly, then fired it home – crisp and clinical. It hit the back of the net: 1–1. For a moment, the Allianz Arena seemed to vibrate; 31,000 people leapt to their feet, whilst on the pitch Kett was swarmed by her teammates in a red celebration. Against Barcelona on Saturday evening, FC Bayern women had fully made their mark in the first leg of the semi-final. The 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena was more than just a respectable result: the stage is set for the return leg this Sunday (16.30 CEST) at Camp Nou, when the teams will battle it out in Barcelona for a place in the final of the premier club competition in European women’s football.

There was a reason why the team went into this clash against the Catalans with such confidence. Earlier in the week, the double winners had secured the club’s eighth Bundesliga title with a 3–2 away win at Union Berlin, with goals from Edna Imade, Barbara Dunst and Giulia Gwinn.

Bayern, featuring Natalia Padilla Bidas, won the reverse fixture against SV Werder Bremen by a comfortable 4–0. | © FC Bayern

Opponent: Werder Bremen

In their last two Bundesliga matches, the Green and Whites have had to settle for a draw. Last Saturday, coach Fritzy Kromp’s side were away to RB Leipzig: after falling behind early in the 13th minute, the northerners responded strongly with Larissa Mühlhaus’ equaliser on 64 minutes, but despite a spirited performance, they were unable to find the winning goal. Earlier in the week, SVW had hosted Wolfsburg for the rearranged game from Matchday 17. In an intense, hard-fought encounter, neither side managed to find the net, and the game ended 0-0.

FC Bayern Women comfortably won 4–0 in the reverse fixture of this season in early October. The head-to-head record also speaks volumes in favour of the Munich side: they've emerged victorious from all 17 Bundesliga clashes with Bremen to date, boasting a goal difference of 60-4. In the last 12 head-to-head encounters, Bayern have even kept a clean sheet – the longest run by any team against one side in Bundesliga history.

Both teams have been among the strongest in the league when it comes to set-pieces this season. FC Bayern Women have scored the most goals from set-pieces in the league (24), with Werder second (17). At the same time, the Munich Frauen have conceded the fewest goals from set-pieces (3), with the Bremen side second (7).

A clash in the far north: between their two Champions League semi-final matches against Barcelona, the Munich women face a clash with the Bremen side, who are currently sixth in the table. | © FC Bayern

Team news

Head coach Barcala remains without Sarah Zadrazil and Lena Oberdorf as they recover from their cruciate ligament injuries. Jovana Damnjanović (fitness) is training individually and is not yet an option for the upcoming matches. The same applies to Alara (partial ACL tear), who returned to team training last week.

Looking to secure the team’s 22nd league win of the season in Bremen: head coach José Barcala. | © FC Bayern

Pre-match quotes

José Barcala: “Werder Bremen are enjoying a very good season – which is why we need a clear game plan and to pay close attention to every detail on Wednesday evening. We want to find the right balance: a teamwho are fully prepared for Bremen whilst keeping all the players in the right rhythm. The big challenge is to strike that balance.”

Barbara Dunst: “Bremen are a physically very strong and hard-running side who will certainly make life difficult for us over the full 90 minutes. Experience has shown it’s always a tough game in Bremen, so we need to be fully focused from the start, bring our intensity to the game and stick to our game plan consistently. Our goal is clear: to secure another win, boost our confidence and give ourselves a good feeling ahead of the crucial match in Barcelona this weekend.”

Carolin Simon is leaving FC Bayern Women at the end of the season: