Bayern Munich’s footballers were lucky to rehabilitate themselves in the Champions League for their huge false start in the premier class.
Eight days after the 7-1 debacle at FC Barcelona, the German double winner against the Italian champions Juventus Turin achieved a celebrated 2-1 (1-1) thanks to the famous Bayern duel only after the indicated stoppage time had expired. Pernille Harder (11th) and Lea Schüller (90th + 6) scored for Munich, Eva Schatzer (20th) had equalized for the Old Lady in the meantime.
Munich coach José Barcala trusted the same ten outfield players as in last weekend’s 3-1 win in the top Bundesliga game at VfL Wolfsburg. Only in goal did Maria Luisa Grohs replace the injured keeper Ena Mahmutovic between the posts.
From the start, the hosts left no doubt about their determination to make amends for the opening debacle the previous week. Concentrated and committed, Barcala’s team gained an advantage and were rewarded with Harder’s opening goal.
FC Bayern is pushing for the second goal
Turin’s lucky equalizer with a direct free kick initially hampered Bayern’s flow of the game, but given two goals from Munich by Momoko Tanikawa and Georgia Stanway as well as other good chances, the draw at half-time was quite flattering for Juve.
After the break, Munich continued to push for the second goal, but either missed further opportunities or failed to finish promising combinations cleanly. Turin came under increasing pressure with ex-Hoffenheim player Paulina Krumbiegel coming on as a substitute, but initially defended themselves effectively. Bayern, whose national player Lena Oberdorf, who had been injured for a long time, celebrated her Champions League comeback as a substitute in the 65th minute, increased the pressure more and more in the final phase and were rewarded with Schüller’s last-minute goal.
The next Champions League game for Munich isn’t scheduled for around four weeks. On November 12th (Wednesday/6.45 p.m.) the top London club FC Arsenal will be visiting the Isar.