The stage is set at the Allianz Arena for the first of our Women's Champions League quarter-final legs against Bayern Munich.
There are a lot of similarities in the way that both teams play, so I think it's an exciting match-up from that perspective as well. Alongside her seven-year stint at WSL rivals Manchester City, those who followed Euro 2022 will know the Lionesses' Georgia Stanway for breaking Spanish hearts with a wonder goal in the quarter-finals. The German side finished level on points with Barcelona, with both teams registering five wins and only one loss in the group stage. Over in the Frauen-Bundesliga, Bayern trail league-leaders and perennial champions VfL Wolfsburg by two points, having conceded just four goals all season. They are unbeaten since October in all competitions and have only dropped points in the Champions League so far against Spanish giants Barcelona. For Jonas Eidevall's side, the prospect of our first semi-final in ten years is tantalising.
Bayern Munich welcome Arsenal FC to Germany for the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals tie against the English club.
Definitely hits Glódís Viggósdóttir in the arm, but “clearly in a natural position” according to the commentators. 7’ — Arsenal shot deflects off a Bayern defender in the box, with shouts for handball. Blackstenius heads it past Grohs and it’s definitely heading in — but Saki Kumagai comes in and clears it just off the line! Schüller takes a deft half-turn to put herself into space and she finds Rall out on the wing. - 52’ — Off the post! It’s a great shot that beats the keeper but bends just past the post! Caitlin Foord takes an inch of space and uses it to curl a shot past the outstretched arms of Grohs. - 70’ — Again off the line!! A pullback finds its way to Blackstenius at position A1, and the striker’s shot is blocked by Viggósdóttir. - 64’ — Arsenal pile on the heat. Schüller meanwhile has gone down twice in the last few minutes at the other end of the pitch. Meanwhile the reply is instant, and Arsenal find the side netting as Bayern fans gasp.
Minute-by-minute report: Join Michael Butler for live updates on the first leg of the quarter-final in Munich.
But even with the considerable injuries in the squad, namely to Vivianne Miedema (formerly of Bayern) and Beth Mead, they are a formidable team and despite a downturn in league form, comfortably Stanway is Bayern’s leading assists maker in the Champions League this season, and the team finished level on points with Barcelona in the group stage, and beat Alexia Putellas and co in December at the Allianz. Viggósdóttir makes the block with her arm and Arsenal’s players appeal for a penalty, but the Icelandic defender is judged to have her arm in a natural position. The first time these two teams have ever met competitively, and there is A LOT at stake. Leah Williamson played in midfield that day, even bagging herself a goal, but falls back into her more familiar role of centre-back, with Lotte Wubben-Moy dropping to the bench. 6 min: Arsenal have survived the early onslaught and finally begun to string together a few passes. 1 min: Bayern so nearly scored twice in the opening minute. 3 min: What a start from the hosts. Certainly the Swede will continue lead the line in the Champions League. Maanum can’t keep the ball on a promising Arsenal attack. I say wide, it was a couple of inches of the target, and Arsenal’s defence breathe a collective sigh of relief. Both sides have had chances, but Bayern have finished this half the stronger, and probably deserve their lead.
Follow live updates as the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League kick off at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern’s top scorer takes another early shot, this time at Zinsberger’s near post, but the goalkeeper is equal to it. McCabe first picked out Blackstenius with a clever ball, but Bayern were able to clear her cross. 35 mins: Now it’s Arsenal’s turn to attack, with this first leg remaining on such a fine edge. Schuller drifts into the space between Williamson and Wienroither at the back post and powers a header into the top corner, beating Zinsberger. Their 4-3 aggregate defeat after extra time against PSG last year saw a 2-1 loss in the home leg but they will take confidence from the fact that they won all three of their group stage home games this term, including against Barcelona. Jonas Eidevall’s side impressed over the first stage of this competition, scoring 19 goals and conceding just five but have struggled to get past the quarter-final stage in recent seasons – they were knocked out 3-1 on aggregate to Wolfsburg last year.
Follow live text commentary as Bayern Munich host Arsenal in the Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg.
But asked whether she thought Bayern could win the Champions League this season, the midfielder said: "Absolutely. Arsenal haven't been allowed to get going yet. They're ferocious both on and off the ball. Stanway added: "They [Arsenal] are aggressive. She again gets free down the left, but this time it's a poor cross and it goes out of play when Katie McCabe was waiting in the middle. Another couple of chances for the hosts. Bayern Munich 0-0 Arsenal Lea Schuller has got one goal and is so, so close to a second. Work for Jonas Eidevall to do at the break. This is a very different game." Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal GOAL - Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal
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We've played against teams that have had great home records this year already in the Champions League. "We're playing against a team that also has good momentum. Alexander Straus' side are currently second in the Frauen-Bundesliga and have an exciting squad which included the likes of highly-rated England midfielder Georgia Stanway. But I choose to believe in the first one." The result has also seemingly been the catalyst for Arsenal's revival in form; the Gunners having since won back-to-back league games by an aggregate score of 6-0. [the Gunners](https://www.football.london/all-about/arsenal-women), who had gone three league games without a win and had also been dumped out of the FA Cup before triumphing over Emma Hayes' side at Selhurst Park in early March.
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Blackstenius thought she had tied the game, but her header was blocked on the line by Saki Kumagai and Bayern escaped. Schuller’s header into the top corner of the net was her 14th goal of the season and meant that Arsenal went into the interval a goal down. Bayern then began to impose themselves on the contest and - after she went within a whisker of breaking the deadlock - Schuller came up trumps six minutes before half-time.
Get a report of the Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal 2022-23 UEFA Women's Champions League, Quarterfinals football match.
The next 10 minutes were all Arsenal with Bayern unable to carry out the basics, until the hosts held onto the ball for long enough to get bodies into the box. Just like against the Catalans, Bayern fashioned a pair of early chances but unlike in that game, they fast began to fall apart under Arsenal's pressure. With plenty to aim for in the penalty area, Maxi Rall's swinging cross was met in the air by Schuller to nod the ball home, letting it take a layer of paint off of the inside of Manuela Zinsberger's upright, and give Bayern the lead against the run of play.
Follow live updates as the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League kick off at the Allianz Arena.