Harder Runs Rampent as Bayern Win Big

This article written by Matthew Coates

Head Coach Alexander Straus made three changes from their 1-0 home league win against Köln, with Glódís Viggósdóttir replacing Linda Sembrant in defence, Sarah Zadrazil making her patiently awaited return from injury alongside Georgia Stanway in the centre of midfield, and Klara Bühl returned in place of Lea Schüller in attack. As a result, Tuva Hansen returned to left centre back, and Jovana Damnjanovic led the line for FC Bayern.

The Bayern XI was as follows:

Mala Grohs (GK) – Giulia Gwinn, Glódís Viggósdóttir (c), Tuva Hansen, Carolin Simon – Sarah Zadrazil, Georgia Stanway – Pernille Harder, Sydney Lohmann, Klara Bühl – Jovana Damnjanovic

Arsenal breezed through UWCL qualification, running out 4-1 winners (on aggregate) against BK Häcken in the final round, but have had only 1 win from their first 3 league games, most recently playing out a 0-0 draw at home to Everton. Bayern, on the other hand automatically qualified to the UWCL group stage after winning the Frauen Bundesliga last season, and came into this game on the back of 5 straight league wins.

Edgy First Half

The match began as it has often started so far this season, with Bayern rather unconvincing in possession. Arsenal were the first team to create a decent chance in the 14th minute, coming from a freekick into the box where Arsenal’s defender Laia Codina struck a tame shot into Mala’s grateful arms.

Zadrazil was often needed to break up Arsenal attacks as evidenced with a superb tackle in the 16th minute. She was also required just four minutes later to prevent an opener from an Arsenal corner in which somehow it escaped Stanway on the near post, and was desperately poked away by Zadrazil before being cleared. Certainly some defending that would not please Straus.

Arsenal were the more dominant side, and established that by scoring the opener through summer signing Mariona Caldentey, after a good cross from Irish left back Katie McCabe, 0-1.

It felt like Bayern needed to respond to both the pressure and the occasion – starting slowly is a dangerous game, especially in the Champions League.

Luckily, they responded well: after some good work by Harder, Gwinn released a powerful strike into the palms of Manuela Zinsberger who could only parry it behind for Bayern’s first corner of the evening. The resultant corner was headed clear, but only as far as Stanway, who sent a deep cross into the box, where captain Viggósdóttir headed home for the equaliser in the 43rd minute, 1-1.

Bayern continued in that same fashion and certainly ended the half as the better of the two sides.

Sensational Second Half

Bayern began the second half as they ended the first –  so similar that it felt almost like the break hadn’t occurred! Bayern attacked well – twenty seconds after the restart, Simon tested Zinsberger from distance.

Bayern were growing in confidence, and certainly showed it with some lovely combination play to create more half-chances. Arsenal were probably the more comfortable in possession at this stage, but Bayern were definitely the more dangerous.

The breakthrough deservedly came for Bayern in the 56th minute following a lovely run by Bühl through the centre of the pitch who played a beautiful ball into the path of Lohmann who struck the ball to the near post with enough power and precision to leave Zinsberger helpless to stop the shot! 2-1.

An Arsenal equaliser came against the run of play, where Laia Codina headed home from a corner in which Mala could have done nothing to prevent it, 2-2.

Despite that, Bayern did not let their heads drop and continued how they had done previously. Bayern made a triple substitution, with Schüller, Sam Kerr and Linda Dallman replacing Damnjanovic, Zadrazil and Lohmann respectively.

Dallman brought an immediate quality to Bayern’s play, where her excellent ball control and convincing passes helped further establish Bayern’s dominance.

Subsequent Bayern attacks led to a corner, where Pernille Harder confidently headed Bayern into a lead, 3-2. The corner from Simon was of a high quality, and it meant that Harder was able to score her first Champions League goal for Bayern – a relief which was certainly present in her emphatic celebration. Also probably partly due to her rivalry against the Gunners from her Chelsea days.

Harder’s work ethic was exceptional, as she somehow seemed to gain even more energy. She seemed to smell blood, as she chased a long ball from Dallman and won Bayern another corner. Some lovely play on the left side after the initial cross was headed clear meant Bühl was free, and produced a dangerous cross into the centre for Harder to score again, 4-2.

She would be rewarded once again after some lovely combinations between Dallman and Gwinn in the Arsenal box led to a cross from the latter for Harder to score her third of the evening in the 86th minute, 5-2. 

Bayern looked sensational and like they could extend their lead, but luckily for Arsenal the final whistle prevented further damage.

Conclusions ahead of the Topspiel

Unfortunately, celebrations for Straus’ side must be brief as they prepare to face Wolfsburg away this Saturday. Bayern typically find this fixture most difficult, the obvious exception being the incredible 0-4 win last year. Wolfsburg certainly won’t be looking for a repeat, and may enter the game with conviction following a 1-0 defeat last night away to Roma in the UWCL.

Bayern’s attacking prowess from set pieces will certainly play a part in the upcoming games, as shortly after Wolfsburg, Bayern travel away to Turin to face Juventus in another heavyweight UWCL clash. 

Bayern’s large squad will also have to play their part over the next few weeks, and it must be said that it seems that Straus has found that balance so far. Let’s hope that continues and Bayern can avoid further injuries.

I want to shout out some of the players who I thought were incredible today:

• Viggósdóttir, who was imperious in the air at both ends;
• Zadrazil, who played well in her first appearance back from injury;
• Kerr, who replaced Zadrazil exceptionally well;
• Dallman, whose class was evident in multiple Bayern attacks;
• Harder, the 15-minute-hattrick hero.

On X, the Frauen have been lovingly coined by fans as ‘2nd Half FC’. The aim for Straus’ side has to be to play as well as we did in that second half throughout the game, because if we do, the sky is the limit. Next up, Bayern travel to Wolfsburg on Saturday 12th October.