The dream of the semi-finals is still alive after the guest appearance in the “Theatre of Dreams”: FC Bayern’s footballers fought for an excellent starting position in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
At Old Trafford, Munich defeated top English team Manchester United 3-2 (1-1) – thanks to a brilliant performance from attacker Pernille Harder.
FCB goes into the second leg at home next Wednesday (6.45 p.m./Disney+) with a clear advantage. At the emotional reunion with national player Lea Schüller, Dane Harder (2nd/71st) and Momoko Tanikawa (84th) scored for the guests. Schüller, who was in a good mood, won a hand penalty for United, which captain Maya Le Tissier converted (24′). Hanna Lundkvist (76th) also scored.
Bayern got off to a lightning start in the well-attended football temple of Manchester. The spectators had only just taken their seats when the visiting team already took the lead. Arianna Caruso sent Harder running with a perfect ball and the Dane slotted in coldly.
Schüller reunion for FC Bayern
But the joy only lasted a good 20 minutes. Then Schüller energetically penetrated the penalty area from the right side and crossed into the middle. The ball landed on the outstretched arm of Glodis Viggosdottir and a little later thanks to Le Tissier’s low penalty kick in the Munich goal.
Schüller only moved from Bavaria to Manchester at the turn of the year after more than five years – also because she often couldn’t go beyond a supporting role. In a balanced game, she remained conspicuous for United: first with a right-footed shot, then with a header, she missed her own goal twice shortly before half-time. On the other hand, Bernadette Amani almost crowned her premier class debut, but aimed just too high.
After the break it remained a high-class game. Bayern were mercilessly efficient with their few chances. The task on Wednesday will not be easy. But if Bayern manage to reach the semi-finals, the greatest possible task awaits them: FC Barcelona, who had rolled over FCB 7-1 in the league phase, also gave Real Madrid no chance in their first leg, winning 6-2.
