Bayern Munich ended Manchester United’s Women’s Champions League dream after coming from behind to salvage a 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena and progress from their quarter-final with a 5-3 aggregate win.
Marc Skinner’s side took the lead on the night to draw the tie after losing the home leg 3-2 last week, but Bayern’s quality and playmaking got the better of them in the second half.
Glodis Viggosdottir canceled out Melvine Malard’s goal by heading in Carolin Simon’s corner in the 80th minute and Linda Dallmann made sure of the result with a powerful volley four minutes later.
Bayern, who are unbeaten at home for 13 months, trapped their visitors in the defensive third for much of the second half, but need two games to break down a solid Man Utd side. Skinner will be very disappointed with the way his team conceded after holding 10 corners before succumbing to the 11th killer.
“I think our nickname is set-piece FC,” Bayern defender Vanessa Gilles joked after the game.
Glodis Viggosdottir scored Bayern’s first goal against Man Utd
The Frauen-Bundesliga outfit have reached the semi-final stage for the first time in five years, where they will meet the winners of Barcelona vs Real Madrid on Thursday. Barca lead the match 6-2 after the first leg.
A step too far for Man Utd
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter’s review:
It’s easy to point to the set piece, or lack thereof, as the reason Manchester United lost in Munich but the game has had more exceptions than those two times. The first half was very classy in an away game. Malard won once but could have had three. Overall, Bayern failed to handle the pace of the game.
Dallmann competes with Fridolina Rolfo for the ball
Fridolina Rolfo and Hinata Miyazawa were in command of the central third, hitting passes and coordinating attacks, while Maya Le Tissier organized a controlled backline. All the units were working in unison and Bayern were unsteady. Their first leg rhythm was missing.
Perhaps the downfall of Man Utd, therefore, is best seen in their inability to maintain such momentum for 90 minutes. They dropped a yard after the break, allowing five shots on goal to Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The German’s second-half dominance is strikingly demonstrated by the number of people entering the opposition box: Bayern 33-1 Man Utd.
It’s a step too far in this case, but Man Utd should take heart from the fact that they finally look like they belong on this top flight.
The key difference is youth
Man Utd manager Marc Skinner to UEFA:
“To be honest, it was amazing, especially the first half. Then the fatigue and exhaustion started.
“Bayern were able to rest a few players at the weekend and it showed in the second half. I think youth was the key difference in the end.
“We know we have eight players at the moment; we couldn’t compete as much in that second half. If we had them, I honestly think we would have gone through, that’s how well we played in the first half.”
Le Tissier fumes because of the failure of the pieces
Man Utd the captain Maya Le Tissier to Disney +:
“I’m angry to be honest. Two halves, it seems like every game we’ve been ripped apart; like the FA Cup. It’s something we have to work on and it’s frustrating.
“The performance we put in, especially in the first half was something to build on and we can be proud.
“We gave ourselves a tough job after the first leg but we fully believed we could win the game. Everyone is disappointed because we were confident of winning.
“I don’t want to use it as an excuse. Bayern increased their intensity in the second half and we didn’t agree with it. I don’t know why.”
What’s next for the WSL?
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