Bayern win against Chelsea in the 1st leg of Women’s Champions League semi-final. Hanna Glas scored the winner for the Bavarians in the 56th minute, following early goal from Syndey Lohmann and Melanie Leupolz’s equalizer.
Bayern’s Laura Benkarth returned between the post for the first time since picking up a knee injury in the German Cup defeat by Wolfsburg earlier this month. On the other side, Emma Hayes made just one change in the starting line-up compared with their mid-week draw against Manchester City. Guro Reiten replaced Erin Cuthbert in the midfield. THe Blues’ captain, Magdalena Eriksson, is still injured.
📋 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 📋
Here's how @FCBfrauen and @ChelseaFCW line-up for the first leg!#UWCL | Semi-finals
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) April 25, 2021
1st half
Chelsea tried to put Bayern’s players under pressure from the kick-off, but Bayern got ahead in the 12th minute. Ann-Kathrin Berger was unable to catch a tricky cross from the right following a good run by Hanna Glas. Sydney Lohmann was the first to get to the rebound and headed the ball into the net. Not the best intervention from Berger. But Chelsea equalized in the 22nd minute. After Reiten’s cross from the free-kick, it was an unlucky clearance from Bayern’s defence that rebounded off Melanie Leupolz‘s head and fell into the net after a high loop. That was probably the luckiest goal in the former Bayern player’s career. Despite Bayern seemed a bit unsettled after the equalizer, Chelsea couldn’t capitalize on that. The 1st half turned into a robust, tactical game in the midfield that seemed no real opportunities from either side.
Right back in it! ⚽️#CFCW #UWCL pic.twitter.com/SKSqkkRkBk
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) April 25, 2021
2nd half
The Blues took the initiative at the beginning of the 2nd half but Bavarians compact midfield didn’t allow any real chances. Chelsea were threatening from set-pieces and almost got into the lead in the 49th minute after some pinball in the goalkeeper area. At the end, Sam Kerr headed the ball straight into Laura Benkarth‘s hands. In the 56th minute, a quick counter from the hosts sent Hanna Glas down the flank on the right-hand side. The Swedish international curled her strike into the near post for another Bayern’s lead, leaving Berger no chance. After that, Bayern dropped back, allowing Chelsea to get more possession while waiting for counter-attacks. Ji So-yun hit the bar in the 73rd minute, with Benkarth already beaten, but the ball bounced off the bar and Benkarth was able to take hold on it. Since Chelsea were looking for an equalizer, a lot of space opened for Bavarians’ counterattacks. A substitute Linda Dallmann sent a strike from the edge of the area in one of the breaks but just missed the far post. Despite the Blues’ domination in possession, Bayern’s defence withheld the Chelsea attacks and managed to secure the 1st leg win.
🔥🔥🔥 BIG win! 🔥🔥🔥
One more game ❗️#MiaSanMia #FCBayern #UWCL pic.twitter.com/KXUOBMKSyr— FC Bayern Frauen (@FCBfrauen) April 25, 2021
At the end, Bayern came out on the top after an entertaining game but with a few shots on target. Nothing is decided yet, Chelsea got an away goal which could prove to be crucial in the 2nd leg. Chelsea already knocked Bayern out on away goals in the round of 32 in the 2017/18 season, so for sure they are confident they can do it again next weekend in London.
Reactions
“We won, so I’m very happy. The girls played a great game. We defended very well and were a little more efficient in taking our chances. In the end, we might or should have scored a third.” – Jens Schauer, FC Bayern head coach
“We’ve got an away goal and it’s half-time. That could very easily have gone 3-1 to them and been a much bigger task for us, so we’re not out of it.” – Emma Hayes, Chelsea head coach
via uefa.com
Score
FC Bayern München – Chelsea 2-1 (1-1)
Scorers: 12′ Sydney Lohmann (B), 22′ Melanie Leupolz (C), 56′ Hanna Glas (B)
Yellow cards: 22′ Sarah Zadrazil (B), 33′ Pernille Harder (C)