Munich (dpa) – The soccer players of FC Bayern Munich are threatened with the end of the Champions League after their premiere in the Allianz Arena in front of 13,000 spectators.
Coach Jens Scheuer’s team was unlucky to lose 2-1 (0-1) in the first leg of the quarter-finals to Paris Saint-Germain. In the duel between the German and French champions, Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored both goals for the guests (19th and 71st minute). At least Klara Bühl scored the next goal with a free kick (84th).
Kahn, Hainer and Nagelsmann among the spectators
The second leg will take place next Wednesday (9 p.m. / DAZN) in the Prinzenpark. The game in the big stadium was something very special for the Bayern women, as she and Scheuer emphasized several times before kick-off. CEO Oliver Kahn, who was sitting next to President Herbert Hainer in the stands, spoke of a “milestone” in the 50-year history of women’s football at Munich.
The previous audience record – 7,300 five years ago in the stadium on Grünwalder Straße, also in the quarterfinals against Paris – was clearly broken. Men’s coach Julian Nagelsmann also watched this time. In the arena with its 75,000 seats, the 13,000 were distributed among the bottom tier. Nevertheless, there was a very special, if somewhat reverent, atmosphere for women’s football.
FC Bayern made a promising and focused start against the two-time Champions League finalists from Paris. After a corner kick by the German international and ex-Munich player Sara Däbritz, there was chaos in front of goalkeeper Janina Leitzig – and Katoto scored to make it 1-0. Däbritz had to leave before the break.
The Bayern women played well through midfield, but the offensive around DFB goalscorer Lea Schüller acted without luck. Head coach Scheuer also brought in national team players Maximiliane Rall and Sydney Lohmann. The latter hit the post twice, and Bühl also missed a big chance. In the middle of this urgent phase, Katoto used another disorder in the Munich defense to make it 2-0, this time with a header.
Goal von Bühl still gives some hope
In the final phase, Bühl managed to score the goal with a free kick. It was the first goal PSG conceded this international season. It will still be difficult for the Munich team with the first premier class triumph, with defending champions FC Barcelona being the top favorites anyway. If they progress, the Bundesliga club would meet the winner between Olympique Lyon and Juventus Turin in the semifinals.
VfL Wolfsburg will also play their second leg in the premier class on March 31 against Arsenal WFC in the men’s Volkswagen Arena – following a trend in the premier class.