Bayern Munich 2 - 1 FC Barcelona: Initial reactions and observations

Bayern Munich open the season with a strong showing against FC Barcelona. Technically only a club friendly, the AMOS Women’s French Cup is still a mini-tournament featuring four banner teams, with a Final for which Bayern have now qualified. Some quick-hit thoughts:

• Barça sure have the Barça DNA. Lots of possession, lots of passing, and yes, lots of quality.
• Bayern roll here with a back three / back five, featuring new signing Tainara in a start at the right center-back position, with Germany’s EURO right-back Giulia Gwinn at right wing-back. Gwinn likes to get forward and was in perfect position to finish off the chance for the opening goal.
• That first goal came so fast — over the top from Sarah Zadrazil to Lea Schüller, who provided the assist — that the Barça TV commentators called it a counter-attack. It actually happened through Bayern build-up, starting from the keeper.
• After Barça fashioned an equalizer out of nowhere, it looked to be anyone’s game, and also rather like we were headed for penalties. Neither team is quite in in-season form yet.
• Still, Bayern triumphed in typical fashion — another long-ball over the top.
• Good showing from Georgia Stanway as well in the heart of Bayern’s midfield. The Manchester City signing was in an energetic post-match discussion with one of her teammates about some tactical matter — looks like she’s really embodying the Mia san Mia spirit of excellence already. Of course, she’s just won the EURO starting for England, so she’s no stranger to success!

Bayern will now play the winner of Manchester United and PSG on August 19.

90’: Four added minutes here are Barça push everything forward. Still a few nervy moments for the Bayern defense as this Barcelona team is full of quality and technique.

84’: GOAL!!!! Bayern have a breakthrough! A quick counter sees forward Emelyne Laurent play a one-two in midfield before bursting down the center and latching on to a ball over the top. The Barça goalkeeper comes out for the ball, collides with Laurent, who takes a painful hit but manages to stumble to her feet again and slot home into an empty net.

This game looked poised to head to penalties after 90’ but Bayern are now in pole position for the Final!

68’: Maximiliane Rall in for Guilia Gwinn, Linda Dallman heads out for Emelyne Laurent and an injured Tainara gets replaced by Emilie Bragstad. Hope it’s nothing too serious for Tainara.

59’: Caroline Graham Hansen scores from distance to make it 1-1. This is bad news.

55’: Substitutions! Saki Kumagai comes off for Hanna Glas. Klara Bühl comes off for Lina Magull and Sarah Zadrazil off for Sydney Lohmann.

40’: GOAL! Bayern open the scoring! Sarah Zadrazil sends Lea Schüller in behind the lines with an outstanding lines-breaking pass. Schüller calmly squares it across to Giulia Gwinn and the wingback taps home with a composed finish.

34’: After an uninspiring first 15 minutes, Bayern have finally started showing their presence in the game and have even had some good chances but Barcelona have had the more dangerous ones. Keeper Grohs has been quite busy.

The AMOS Women’s French Cup kicks off today — a mini-tournament featuring Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-German. Bayern are taking on Barcelona in a match that will feature some of this summer’s EURO stars as well as other new signings. Best of all, it appears to be streaming on YouTube!

(note: the Barça TV channel removed the video shortly after the game ended.)

Lineups

Sarah Zadrazil captains the side and it’s a debut for Tainara, who recently won the Copa América with Brazil, as well as Georgia Stanway, who won the EURO with England.

From Bayern’s EURO contingent, Lea Schüller, Giulia Gwinn, Klara Bühl, and Linda Dallman start while Sydney Lohmann and Lina Magull are on the bench.

Match Info

Location: France

Time: 12pm ET

TV/Streaming: CBS (USA), YouTube

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