Bayern Edge Leverkusen Before Break
October 21, 2024 This article written by Matthew Coates
On his 49th Birthday, Head Coach Alex Straus’ made just the one change following Bayern’s 0-2 win away in Turin on Wednesday; Lea Schüller returned in place of her fellow German international Sydney Lohmann.
The Bayern XI was as follows:
Mala Grohs (GK) – Giulia Gwinn, Glódís Viggósdóttir, Tuva Hansen, Carolin Simon – Sarah Zadrazil, Georgia Stanway, – Linda Dallmann, Pernille Harder, Klara Bühl – Lea Schüller
Bayer Leverkusen came into this game unbeaten in the Frauen Bundesliga, which meant that they were just one point behind Bayern. Bayern on the other hand came into this game after most recently winning away to Juventus in the UWCL. However, Bayern’s previous league match had been an unfortunate defeat away to Wolfsburg.
With a win in this fixture, either team could have summited the table after Frankfurt had unexpectedly lost away to Werder Bremen.
Cagey First Half
The first chance for either side came in the form of a long ball over the top which found Bühl in the penalty area, which was ultimately sent wide. A disappointing finish from a player of her considerable standing and quality.
Bayern continued piling on the pressure with a hit by Harder in the ninth minute, and a strike just moments later of superb quality by Simon that narrowly sailed over the bar.
Five minutes later, some lovely interplay between Harder and Bühl led to a cut back and subsequent strike for Bühl, which was deflected wide. From the resulting corner the ball fell kindly for Captain Viggósdóttir, whose quick turn and strike struck the crossbar.
Despite the strong start from Bayern they were the team to be punished. A directionless clearance from Grohs in the 20th minute resulted in immediate danger, and a dangerous cross led to a close-range Cornelia Kramer volley, 1-0.
It took until the 39th for Bayern to respond in any fashion, where some good work by Bühl led to a tame effort from Harder that was held by Leverkusen keeper Friederike Repohl at the second time of asking.
Bayern were the better side in the first half and led all attacking metrics, except the one that mattered. Alex Straus would have been looking for more from his side, especially off the ball where Leverkusen players could often play without pressure.
Action-Packed Second half
Bayern had seemingly responded to Straus’ team talk and began the second half with much greater intensity off the ball. And their effort was quickly rewarded just four minutes after the second half started. Zadrazil showed trademark determination by sprinting after a ball in the box, cutting it back for her right foot and curling it into the top corner, 1-1. An unlikely scorer for Bayern, but a goal of great importance.
Unfortunately for Bayern, they were caught out quickly once again. In the 51st minute the ball fell kindly to Leverkusen substitute Julia Mickenhagen on the edge of the box, who struck an effort into the bottom corner, curling away from an outstretched hand from Grohs, 2-1.
A lifeline for Bayern came in the 65th, where a lovely flick from substitute Damnjanovic (for Schüller, 63’) led to a challenge on Zadrazil in the box, and a penalty was awarded. Stanway confidently struck home to restore parity, 2-2.
A second yellow in the 73rd minute for goal scorer Julia Mickenhagen after a rash challenge on Gwinn meant Bayern would play the last 20 minutes a player up. An opportunity to capitalise for Bayern, on a night where they did not play their best.
It took some time for Bayern to create chances after going a woman up, as their play had been disrupted by a number of injury problems for the home side. The first real chance came in the 78th, where a tame Lohmann header was comfortably claimed by Friederike Repohl.
Bayern looked desperate to score, and that desperation was summed up in what turned out to be a crucial winner. As the clock ticked into the 90th minute, Bayern’s 17 year old starlet Alara Şehitler (for Dallman, 63’) produced a ferocious strike that left Repohl helpless to prevent the ball crashing into the net, 2-3.
A welcome and long-awaited return to the pitch for Magdalena Eriksson came deep in stoppage time as she replaced her long-term partner (Harder), in the 94th minute.
A nervy end to the game ensued as Leverkusen threw women forward, but ultimately Bayern ground out the three points that sent them top of the table.
Finally, I’d like to give a special shoutout to X user @Zadraball, who somehow predicted each of Bayern’s goal scorers moments prior to the goals hitting the back of the net. If they somehow had an impact on the result, we must all be grateful to them!
State of play as the International Break Arrives
After this drama filled match, Bayern are now one point clear of Frankfurt and Wolfsburg at the top of the table. With their next league match against Frankfurt, it’s safe to say that Bayern’s ruthless schedule does not let up even after the international break. It is also fair to say that they have dealt very well with the tough fixtures, as it is challenging to consistently meet the high standards that have so often been required in this period.
The league is so important to Bayern Frauen, and the importance of this win should not be understated. At multiple times throughout the match, it looked like the ground that brought them so much joy last year would provide a nightmare. The resilience and determination that was shown in this match could prove pivotal over the course of a season, and that has been pleasing to see.
Bayern’s Japanese sensation Momoko Tanikawa has only two more matches for Swedish champions Rosengard before their season ends. Alex Straus has already confirmed that, after a well-deserved holiday, she will return to Bayern for their winter training camp and will go on to be “an integral part of the team”. We can all be excited to see her in the red of FC Bayern very soon!
As many players will now jet off to their international commitments, it will be a time to reset and refocus before a gruelling winter fixture period. With luck, they should all be able to return without any problems.
Grohs will unfortunately miss out on her maiden international call up due to a bout of tonsillitis, and we hope that it does not continue to plague the talented keeper like it did Aleksandar Pavlović, for both Bayern and Germany’s men’s sides. After the international break, Bayern will return to action by playing host to Eintracht Frankfurt on Monday 4th November.
