PSG through the semis after the extra-time. After a first leg defeat, Bayern, who travelled to Paris just with 15 players due to Covid protocols, suspensions and injuries, managed to come back and take the game into the extra time. But Ramona Bachmann secured the last 4 spot for the Parisians with a 112th minute goal.
Women’s Champions League, Quarter-final, Leg 2
Wednesday, 30th of March
Paris Saint-Germain – FC Bayern München 2-2 (1-1) a.e.t. ag: 4-3
Scorers: 17′ Sandy Baltimore (P), 19′ Saki Kumagai (B), 55′ Lea Schüller (B), 112′ Ramona Bachmann (P)
Yellow cards: 14′ Paulina Dudek (P), 49′ Sakina Karchaoui (P), 94′ Klara Bühl (B), 115′ Sandy Baltimore (P)
FC Bayern München – Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 (0-1)
Bayern had just four substitutes (just two field players) on the bench due to Covid protocols, suspensions and injuries. In order to go through, the Bavarians had to win in Parc au Princes stadium. They started promising with more of the game in the opening minutes. Klara Bühl missed the ball from a promising position ten meters from the goal. Just seconds later, she received the ball again, but sent a chipped shot over the bar. Like in the first leg, PSG got the lead against the flow of the game. Again, after the corner, the ball came back to Sandy Baltimore on the right side. She sent another cross in, Janina Leitzig misjudged the flight of the ball, which ended behind her back. But Bayern needed just one minute to get the equalizer. Caro Simon sent a cross in from a set-piece, Lea Schüller headed it towards the goal. Barbora Votíková managed to save it, but Saki Kumagai was the quickest at the bounce and pushed it over the line. Parisians had a chance to get back into the lead but Leitzig denied Grace Geyoro with an outstanding reflex save. A redemption for the earlier mistake for the German goalkeeper. The home team managed to take some pressure off their defence and brought the first half to the end.
⏸️ C'est la mi-temps au Parc ! Le @FCBfrauen a immédiatement répondu à l'ouverture du score de Baltimore. @PSG_Feminines 1⃣-1⃣ @FCBfrauen
⚽️ Baltimore 17'#𝐏𝐒𝐆𝐅𝐂𝐁 pic.twitter.com/ESsdcFtk0H— PSG Féminines (@PSG_Feminines) March 30, 2022
1-1 draw at the half-time still meant that Bayern needed at least one goal to take the game into extra-time. But in the 52nd minute, PSG transitioned into a promising counter-attack. Marie-Antoniette Katoto outran Kumagai and passed to Baltimore who hits the ball over the goal. Just two minutes later, Klara Bühl cut in from the left side and shot low. The ball took the deflection from Schüller, and ended in the goal for a Bayern lead. After that, the pace slowed down, with Bavarians still dominating midfield and possession. But as previously seen in this match-up, Parisians got the chance to score once more. Katoto got to the ball after a poor Bayern clearance and sent a powerful strike from 10 meters, but Leitzig once again saved the guests from going behind in the aggregate score. In the last 10 minutes, teams played more careful, already anticipating extra-time. The German champions still had some promising chances but weren’t precise enough with their finishing and the game went into extra 30 minutes.
98‘ Dieser unglaubliche 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐆𝐄𝐈𝐒𝐓! ❤️💯#PSGFCB 1:2 | ⚪💫 | #UWCL pic.twitter.com/2CYDlzwngr
— FC Bayern Frauen (@FCBfrauen) March 30, 2022
Both teams entered the extra time with caution. In the 99th minute, a poor pass from Kumagai back to her goalkeeper almost resulted in a goal, but the Japanese international fixed her mistake with blocking Katoto’s shot towards the empty net. The pace dropped since both teams were becoming short of breath. The decisive moment came in the 112th minute when a substitute Ramona Bachmann got the ball in the box, turned around and finished through the defender’s legs and past Leitzig for a goal that sent PSG through the semis.
The exciting and balanced match-up saw Paris Saint-Germain going through, despite Bayern also had their chances, especially in the first leg. It was clear that Bayern could use some substitutions and were unable to keep up with high rhythm and their possession game, especially in the closing stages of the game. PSG will face either Juventus or Lyon in the semi-final.