Bayern Munich 2-0 Benfica Lisbon: Klara Bühl shoots FCB to victory
Bayern Munich won their last group game of the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage against Benfica 2-0. Still, the victory was not enough to surpass Barcelona in the table.
The first half was relatively uninspiring from both sides. The highlight was a shot against the post by Sydney Lohmann in the 22nd minute. The home team played the second half with more conviction and were rewarded with a double from Klara Bühl.
Bayern went into the games as favourites as they managed to secure a 3-2 victory against Benfica last time the two teams met. This time, captain Lina Magull and Linda Dallmann missed the game because of injuries.
Even though manager Alexander Straus’ side had already qualified for the next Champions League round before the match, a Bayern win could still have secured first place in Group D, provided Barcelona dropped points in their parallel match against Rosengard.
Glódis Viggósdóttir and Maximiliane Rall returned to the Bayern squad after injury. Rall was part of the starting XI, while Viggósdóttir initially took a seat on the bench.
Lack of creativity from both teams
FCB started the first action with a very high pressing. The attacking line of Lea Schüller, Klara Bühl and Emelyne Laurent immediately ran at the Portuguese defense.
Benfica, however, managed to break free and also earned the first corner kick in the fourth minute, which, however, ended up with the opponent.
The first time danger occurred in the Benfica penalty area came from Georgia Stanway’s cross into the box, where Rall finished, but failed to get her shot on target.
Benfica matched Munich’s ball security with quick counter-attacks down the flanks, especially Jessica Silva down the right. It was also through this side that the Portuguese got their first shot on target. However, Bayern keeper Mala Grohs was able to deflect the centred shot for a corner.
The game became more and more focussed on midfield as the game wore on. One team set up its attack while waiting for mistakes from the opponent on the other side. And then the other way around again.
Both coaches, who were constantly shouting instructions from the sideline, were visibly unhappy with the state of play.
Bayern Munich had a hard time getting past the Benfica defence and now also tried the wings with crosses from Carolin Simon and Sydney Lohmann. But both crosses ended up with the opponent.
This was followed by a double chance for the hosts. First, Lohmann hit the post after Stanway’s cross from midfield. Immediately afterwards, another shot missed the goal.
As a result, the game became a bit tougher. Tackles on Lohmann (33′) and Silva (38’) were not punished by the referee.
Both teams remained uninspired for much of the first half. Benfica finally managed to create a chance. Valeria Cantuario was well placed on the right and her cross found the free Catarina Amado in the opponent’s sixteenth. However, from a good position, she was unable to place the ball directly on goal.
Not even a minute later, the ball landed behind the Munich goal line (44′). However, the game had already been stopped for a striker’s foul.
It was not until shortly before the half-time whistle that the game gained some momentum. Both sides made good attempts, but still lacked precision in front of goal.
Bayern start the second half with a bang
Bayern kept their momentum going after the break. A dream pass from Stanway landed precisely on the foot of Bühl, who kept her cool in front of goal and slotted into the right corner of the net to make it 1-0.
Benfica goalkeeper Rute Costa did not look unerring as she ran past Lohmann and her own teammate, leaving the goal unprotected. In a last-ditch effort, the defender was able to clear.
Finally, it was Bühl again who scored into the bottom right corner, 2-0 for the FCB in the 75th minute. And again it was Stanway who provided the assist for the goal.
Now Lisbon showed a sign of life again. After a corner, a header towards goal hit the post. Nicole Raysla also had another good chance. She had a direct shot from a good position, but leaned back too far and the ball went over the goal.
Bayern was not yet satisfied with the lead. Lohmann made a good dribble in the opponent’s sixteen and tried to finish several times. But Benfica cleared with all their might, first the goalkeeper, then the defender on the line.
Even though the FCB struggled in the first half, the team celebrates a deserved victory against unlucky Benfica. Klara Bühl and Georgia Stanway helped the team score both goals.
Finishing second in Group D, Bayern will face one of the other group’s teams who finished the group stage at first place in the quarter-finals.
