Bayern Women Hold on Against Freiburg to Reach DFB Pokal Quarterfinal

This article written by Matthew Coates

Alex Straus’ made two changes from the midweek game with Carolin Simon replacing Linda Sembrant in defence, and Lea Schüller was deemed fit to start in place of Weronika Zawistowska in attack. 

As a result of her starting, Gwinn made her 100th appearance for Bayern. Simon and Damnjanović were also celebrating their own milestones; their 32nd and 30th Birthdays respectively!

The Bayern XI was as follows:

Ena Mahmutovic (GK) – Giulia Gwinn, Glódís Viggósdóttir (c), Tuva Hansen, Carolin Simon – Sarah Zadrazil, Georgia Stanway – Linda Dallmann, Pernille Harder, Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller

Since the last encounter between these teams just two weeks ago (a 2-2 draw in Freiburg), Bayern have won two and drawn one, at an aggregate score of 9-1. Freiburg on the other hand had only played one match, winning 1-0 against SGS Essen. 

Bayern thus came into this game knowing how difficult it can be in Freiburg, but due to it being a knockout match, slip ups could be costly. A tense setting for Pokal action between two great teams.

First Half

The home side had the first chance in the third minute, Selina Vobian received the ball in a wide position and set up Lisa Karl, who consequently skied her shot. 

Bayern responded well and almost scored after Simon reacted well to a loose pass, fed Bühl who was in the box but unfortunately she fired wide.

Bayern were dominating proceedings but the Freiburg keeper was consistently there, and at times she looked unbeatable.

Moments later, Schüller had only the goalkeeper to beat, after some good work by Zadrazil in a wide position, but saw her effort saved.

The Freiburg keeper made another strong save in the 20th minute from a Harder effort, after a superb Gwinn cross toward the back post. Minutes later, Simon saw her weak-footed effort saved at the near post.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 27th minute: Stanway sent the initial freekick into the box from a deeper position where Gwinn headed it across goal toward Harder, but Meret Felde bumbled the ball into her own net, 1-0.

It took until the 42nd minute for the next chance, as Bayern controlled possession and looked comfortable with their lead. Harder was unable to meet a Bühl pass, and thus it trickled out for a goal kick.

The last action of the half was an attacking freekick for Bayern, but it was comfortably headed away and the whistle sounded.

Second Half

Moments after play resumed, Cora Zica produced a curling effort that was well-saved by Mahmutovic.

In the 51st minute, a long ball was sent over the top for Schüller to run onto, but her initial effort was saved. She then recovered the ball and laid it off to Dallman, but her first time effort was blocked. Moments later, Bühl continued to apply pressure and sent her shot narrowly wide. 

Bayern’s pressure paid off in the 55th minute, where a lovely flowing move led to an opportunity for Schüller in the six yard box, and she tucked away to double Bayern’s lead, 2-0. I think this stunning move perfectly demonstrated what this team is capable of, and I hope we get to see it more often instead of occasional flashes of brilliance.

In the 60th minute, Bühl had another effort saved. Bayern were continuing to apply pressure, and it looked like they would go on to make it comfortable. However, moments later, a poorly hit clearance by Gwinn fell to Cora Zicai on the edge of the box, who controlled and superbly struck into the top corner, 2-1. A moment of sheer quality that Mahmutovic could do nothing to prevent.

The goal provided Freiburg with some confidence and completely disrupted Bayern’s control. In the 68th minute, Selina Vobian sent in a dangerous freekick which Harder stabbed at and the ball fell to Shekiera Martinez whose effort was blocked, and the subsequent effort by Meret Felde blazed over the bar.

In the 75th minute, Cora Zicai demonstrated her quality once again, where her long-range-solo effort went narrowly wide of the post. Bayern were desperately holding on to their lead.

In the 92nd minute, Eileen Campbell fired another long shot over the bar. Bayern were willing for the final whistle. Long after the allotted time, Damnjanović had an opportunity to round the keeper, but was prevented from doing so. However it didn’t matter, and Bayern were able to progress to the quarter finals.

Away in Essen After the International Break

It was an important win for Bayern’s seasonal aims, as they hope to go one better than last year’s DFB Pokal Final loss to Wolfsburg. I also think it is important to go off into the international break with some positives, as Bayern will have four more games in quick succession before the winter break, including some important UWCL deciders.

Bayern, despite being through to the UWCL quarter finals, would ideally like to win the group to face a potentially easier path in the knockout rounds. So, whilst this wasn’t a perfect or convincing Bayern performance, Straus will feel like it is job done, and that was all that was needed in this fixture. After the international break, Bayern will travel to Essen on Saturday 7th December.