The FC Bayern Munich footballers have suffered a bitter setback in the fight for direct entry into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Coach José Barcala’s team didn’t get past 2-2 (0-1) at Atlético Madrid on Wednesday despite their superiority in play. After winning eleven competitive games in a row across all competitions, Bayern dropped important points and missed out on making it into the top four.
“We are very sad because we got back into the game very well,” said Bayern international Klara Bühl on Disney+: “The draw is difficult to accept.”
Vilde Böe Risa (13th) gave the home team the lead with a converted hand penalty according to video evidence. In the second half, DFB captain Giulia Gwinn shot a hand penalty over the goal after a VAR check before Pernille Harder (63’/78′) turned the game around. In the final phase, Fiamma (88th) equalized with a dream goal.
On the last match day, Bayern, who are now only sixth but have at least secured participation in the play-offs, will face Valerenga IF on December 17th. Only the best four teams advance to the quarter-finals; the eight following clubs have to play for the remaining four tickets.
Gwinn fails from the point
The Spaniards found their way into the game better and initially controlled the game. Bayern keeper Ena Mahmutovic prevented the first chance of the game with a strong save (5th). A few minutes later, the VAR suddenly reported: Captain Glodis Viggosdottir had touched the ball with her elbow in a duel. Referee Maria Sole Caputi pointed to the spot, Böe Risa confidently converted.
Bayern needed some time to recover from the early deficit. In the middle of the first half, however, they increasingly went on the offensive. First, Linda Dallmann shot just past the opponent’s goal from a good 15 meters (33′), before an attempt from Jovana Damnjanovic crashed against the crossbar shortly before the break (43′).
The guests also pushed for an equalizer in the second half. Gwinn’s attempt from the penalty spot flew into the Madrid night sky. Shortly afterwards, Harder equalized with her deflected shot. As a result, Bayern’s pressure decreased – until the Dane struck ice cold again. But Atlético still found an answer.