Report: United Women 2 Bayern Munich 3

As a newly crowned Asian Cup winner with Japan, Hinata Miyazawa returned to the starting XI named by Marc Skinner, coming into the midfield for Simi Awujo. Lea Schuller, against the club she left in January, was also recalled as Elisabeth Terland moved to the bench.

A late goal from Bayern substitute Momoko Tanikawa, a team-mate of Miyazawa’s on the international stage, proved decisive over the first 90 minutes.

Former Chelsea forward Pernille Harder had initially given Bayern an early lead that was cancelled out by Maya Le Tissier from the penalty spot. Harder scored again midway through the second half, but that restored advantage was erased by Hanna Lundkvist’s header soon after.

Tanikawa won it on the night, but a slender aggregate deficit and another 90 minutes in Munich next week means this last-eight tie is far from over.

FIRST HALF

United started the contest on the front foot, pinning Bayern into their own half from the opening kick-off, but caught by an early sucker punch when Arianna Caruso launched a long punt into Reds territory. Harder latched onto it, and while Le Tissier managed to get her body between the Danish forward and the goal, Bayern’s no. 21 still managed to squeeze the ball into the corner.

It was a tough pill to swallow given that United enjoyed more possession both before and after the goal. Julia Zigiotti’s subsequent shot on target around six minutes in lacked the power to beat Ena Mahmutovic, while Lisa Naalsund, Jess Park and Zigiotti had attempts either off target or blocked.

The equaliser came midway through the half, with Le Tissier calmly converting from the spot. The move highlighted what United are capable of in full flow, with Park and Miyazawa building down the right to play in Schuller. Lea’s attempt to put the ball across goal was blocked by Glodis Viggosdottir’s outstretched arm and the referee signalled penalty, over which there was little complaint.

Still, despite those earlier half-chances and being back level, United had looked a little disjointed and Maya took it upon herself as captain to gather the team before the game restarted for a huddle.

That moment to reset looked to have done the job and United were more in tune for the remainder of the half, although there were notable chances at both ends.

Melvine Malard’s low shot from distance was gathered by Mahmutovic, before Viggosdottir, looking to make amends, volleyed narrowly over the bar at a corner. A pair of further United opportunities went Schuller’s way, a shot fired wide of the near post and a glancing header that missed the target.

The final sight of goal in the opening 45 went to Bayern’s Bernadette Amani, who felt she should have done better, scooping the ball over the bar seven yards out.

SECOND HALF

The second period began more slowly than the first had finished, with Bayern struggling to find their level. Harder at least managed a low shot that was comfortably saved by Phallon Tullis-Joyce, their first shot on target since scoring early on.

United played balls into good positions in the wide channels, with one particular piece of skill from Malard prompting a roar of approval from the Old Trafford crowd. Sadly, that move broke down when Naalsund’s cross into the box was cut out.

In what would certainly have been a bizarre way to go ahead, Lunkvist’s searching cross from the right an hour in had Mahmutovic briefly worried as it floated onto the roof of the net.

Bayern’s first incisive move of the second half saw them retake the lead and the goal was not dissimilar to Harder’s opener. This time, the pass was threaded along the floor by Tanikawa, with the Bayern forward finishing with composure, one-on-one with Tullis-Joyce.

United’s response was swift, with Lundkvist pulling the Reds level for the second time only five minutes later. Our Swedish right-back emerged from a crowd of players to meet Le Tissier’s in-swinging corner from the left, nodding a header back across goal – Georgia Stanway’s acrobatic attempt to clear the effort off the line was unsuccessful.

The game felt open enough that either team could have scored next, but it went Bayern’s way in the 84th minute. With the ball cut back to Japan international Tanikawa by Franziska Kett, a clever feint engineered space for the shot and she guided a low effort into the far corner.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Tullis-Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier (c), Turner, Rolfo; Zigiotti, Miyazawa (Awujo 75); Park, Naalsund, Malard; Schuller (Riviere 76).

Subs not used: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, George, Anderson, Terland.

Goals: Le Tissier (pen) 24, Lundkvist 76.

Bayern Munich: Mahmutovic; Gwinn, Viggosdottir (c), Gilles, Simon (Tanikawa 59); Stanway, Amani (Imade 73); Dallmann, Caruso (Ballisager 88), Kett; Harder.

Subs not used: Grohs, Kreuzpainter, Eriksson, Zahringer, Dunst, Padilla.

Goals: Harder 2, 71, Tanikawa 84.

Booked: Simon.

Attendance: 7,513.