Bayern Held to Draw Against Frankfurt

This article written by Matthew Coates

Head Coach Alex Straus’ made two changes from the last gasp away win in Leverkusen: Alara Şehitler replaced Schüller in attack and Ena Mahmutovic replaced Grohs in goal, who is not fully fit after a tonsil operation in the international break. Mahmutovic made her first Bayern start, Şehitler made her first start of the season, and Dallman made her 150th appearance in a Bayern shirt. Damnjanovic was out with a knock, and Lohmann was out due to knee problems. 

The Bayern XI was as follows:

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

Eintracht Frankfurt came into this game hoping to bounce back from a shock 0-1 loss to Werder Bremen before the break where Bayern had edged a closely fought match in Leverkusen.

With a win in this fixture, either team could have summited the table: an ideal setting for a Topspiel.

Close First Half

The game began eventfully, with an early penalty for Bayern. It came in just the third minute, after a Gwinn cross struck an outstretched elbow from Frankfurt centre back Sara Doorsoun. Georgia Stanway was given the responsibility, who had scored a penalty against Germany in the international break, but struck a tame effort to the goalkeeper’s right, and sent the following rebound disappointingly high.

It took till the 18th minute for the next chance as the teams seemed evenly matched. A cross from Bühl on the left side met the head of Harder in the centre of the box, but the header ballooned over.

Bayern attacks were few and far between, but they were the better of the two sides and showcased more moments of quality. A superb ball from Şehitler to the feet of Dallman in behind the Frankfurt defence was one of them. Dallman could only flick the ball back to Harder, who’s shot deflected off Dallman narrowly wide.

Bühl looked especially sharp, and a solo run in the 27th minute resulted in a shot that stung the palms of the Frankfurt Goalkeeper. Bühl was then involved in the Bayern breakthrough, which came in the 34th minute. A well struck corner to the back post landed perfectly on the head of Harder, who had lost her marker and was completely free to head home, 1-0.

Frankfurt had little in terms of attacking threat in the first half, the only ‘chance’ being a deflected shot that went comfortably wide. Mahmutovic especially had little to do, but looked calm and comfortable on the ball.

Eventful Second Half

A thick layer of fog descended on the Bayern Campus over the break, but that didn’t halt Bayern’s attacking momentum. In the 47th minute, Harder had a good chance but Frankfurt’s keeper responded with a strong save. Just a minute later, Şehitler probably should have scored after a low cross from Dallman. She struck it first time, but certainly had more time than she thought.

In the 50th minute, Frankfurt forward Laura Freigang was bearing in on Bayern’s goal, but a sensational last-ditch tackle from Viggósdóttir stopped what would have been a certain goal.

Bühl had swapped to the right by the 55th minute, and had another solo run which led to a left-footed strike that could only be parried by the goalkeeper, but unfortunately no one was there to convert the rebound.

Unfortunately, Frankfurt would go on to score from the following play. A well-placed long ball forward from left back Nina Lührßen towards Nicole Anyomi caused panic in Bayern’s backline, and Anyomi was able to strike at the near post for the equaliser, 1-1.

Frankfurt, now with a foothold in the game, began to have more possession. They still struggled to create chances with that possession, but it certainly disrupted Bayern’s attacking momentum.

Gwinn was forced off in the 83rd minute following a stray elbow to her face. She seemed in some distress, so hopefully it is only a knock and nothing more serious. She was replaced by Magdalena Eriksson.

The game petered out from there with few chances for either side, and Bayern were held to a draw at the Campus.

Bayern remain top… just

After this tight-match, Bayern edge past eternal rivals Wolfsburg to reach the top of the Frauen Bundesliga table, goals scored being the only difference. Bayern would have hoped for more in this encounter, and probably deserved more on the basis of the play. However, Frankfurt are certainly more competitive this year and will cause problems for every other team. Frankfurt go to third, continuing their excellent start to the season, just two points behind Bayern.

It was nice to see starts for both Şehitler and Mahmutovic in this game, showcasing the trust Straus must have in both of them. Bayern will need a competitive squad in the next few weeks, and I think both did well enough to recommend themselves for more first-team action in the coming games. Next up, Bayern travel to Freiburg on Friday 8th November