Pernille Harder scored twice as Bayern Munich secured a 3-2 first-leg advantage over Manchester United in the quarter-final of their Women’s Champions League tie.
Man Utd twice came from behind to level the game and looked to be heading towards a valiant draw, only for Momoko Tanikawa to strike a killer blow in the 84th minute and hand her side the edge ahead of next week’s return leg in Germany.
Bayern scored with three of their four shots on target, the first two a carbon copy of one another as Harder ran off the back of Maya Le Tissier to leave herself one-on-one with Phallon Tullis-Joyce. She dispatched both expertly.
Sandwiched between Harder’s goals was a well-taken penalty from captain Le Tissier, and after that another set-piece goal, this time from a corner, as Hanna Lundkvist headed Le Tissier’s delivery beyond Ena Mahmutovic.
But the visitors, now unbeaten in 23 games, were a cut above from open play, dominating possession and passing stats with real quality, and when influential substitute Tanikawa collected a pass from Franziska Kett on the edge of the area, she drilled a fine finish into the bottom corner.
Marc Skinner will know his side must improve to stand any chance of progression, while also ensuring they dust themselves down in time for a Manchester derby at Old Trafford in three days’ time. The challenge of playing on this elite European stage for the very first time while managing domestic commitments just got real.
Man Utd unable to reach full potential
Jess Park was Man Utd’s brightest spark on the ball
Sky Sports Laura Hunter at Old Trafford:
So much of me wanted to be able to write about a performance that demonstrated the best of Man Utd’s strength of character. But I couldn’t help but feel a sense of despondence with the way Marc Skinner’s side were unpicked on home turf. They have got it all to do in Munich, where Bayern are unbeaten across all competitions this term.
The first goal conceded, inside 98 seconds, can be attributed to nerves but the other two are a product of Bayern’s intelligence in the final third. The pace and tempo of their passing took key players out of the game and their finishing was devastating. They mixed it up, too, going long when the situation dictated.
United looked one or two players short of the quality that Jose Barcala had the luxury of calling upon. Match-winner Momoko Tanikawa changed the game and she was only on the pitch for 19 minutes.
“I’m frustrated with all three goals,” Skinner reflected. “We left the space for Pernille Harder to score twice.” United’s management of that space was off on the night. They can’t afford for a repeat next week.
Skinner hopes Man Utd can exorcise frustrations in Munich
Man Utd manager Marc Skinner:
“I’m frustrated with all three goals tonight. I didn’t think they had to particularly earn them. What I know about this team is they will be open and honest with that and we’ve got another leg to fix it.
“I don’t think it’s naivety, it’s a high-level opponent. Bayern changed their game, they are usually a possession-based team but went direct. We’re still in the tie, we must go to the Allianz and win.
“Any game at this level can get away from you but credit to the players because it didn’t. We are still in it. It’s given us a taste of what we need to do in the second leg. There is frustration tonight and I need to see that [improve] in our performance next week.”
Barcala happy Bayern weren’t made to suffer
Bayern Munich head coach Jose Barcala:
“We expected a difficult game, and it was, really demanding. They had control and we had to defend for long periods, I’m happy we didn’t suffer too much in that time. We were quite comfortable.
“The first chance we get in behind and are so clinical. I’m happy my team were able to come back after Manchester managed to equalise. It was great to score so quickly, we wanted to get in behind in those first moments, that was part of the plan.
“For the second game it’s important we land from this game, there are details to adjust. We need to take more control and find the pockets. We ned to get through the pressing and not play so direct.”
Barca on course for semis after thrashing rivals Real
Barcelona thrashed rivals Real Madrid 6-2 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final
Barcelona put one foot into the last four of the Women’s Champions League with a comprehensive 6-2 first-leg victory at rivals Real Madrid.
Ewa Pajor netted twice alongside further strikes from Esmee Brugts, Irene Paredes, Vicky Lopez and Alexia Putellas’ late penalty to give Barca a resounding victory at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
Linda Caicedo’s double for the hosts could not stop Madrid from falling to a heavy defeat before the two sides face off again in the quarter-final second leg in Barcelona next Thursday.
