Frauen: Bayern Munich 4 – 0 SC Freiburg — Match Analysis and Observations

Following a lacklustre performance last time out against Carl Zeiss Jena, Bayern Munich dropped down to 2nd in the league, behind only today’s opponents Freiburg on goal difference. Freiburg finished 5th last year and were coming off a 6-2 win against Hamburg, meaning they were noticeably high in confidence.

Head Coach José Barcala made eight changes to the starting XI from the disappointing draw against Carl Zeiss Jena on Saturday; only the Captain Viggósdóttir, Zadrazil, and Bühl retained their place. 

The Bayern XI was as follows:

Ena Mahmutovic (GK) – Franziska Kett, Glódis Perla Viggósdóttir (c), Vanessa Gilles, Carolin Simon – Georgia Stanway, Sarah Zadrazil – Klara Bühl, Momoko Tanikawa, Linda Dallmann, Jovana Damnjanović

The Match

Bayern started in fine attacking form, attempting to pepper the Freiburg goal early on. Kett had a great chance to score in the 5th minute, but her shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Laura Benkarth. Benkarth proved to be a tough nut to crack, as moments later she was able to react well to a deflected Bühl effort and push it out of danger.

Bayern’s early attacking momentum was paused due to a worrying injury to Zadrazil. The stretcher was brought out, but luckily she was able to hobble off the pitch with help from the captain Viggósdóttir. Lena Oberdorf came on in her place.

Out of seemingly nowhere though, Bayern were able to take the lead! In the 16th minute, a whipped corner from Simon met the head of Gilles on the edge of the box, and the Canadian defender was able to powerfully direct the ball into the corner, leaving Benkarth rooted to the spot, 1-0!

Bayern really should have made it 2-0 in the 26th minute, after Bühl cleverly picked out Tanikawa, but her side-footed effort from the centre of the box was sliced wide.

Bayern were really pushing for the second before half time: Stanway clipped the post after a shot from the edge of the box in the 42nd minute, and, in the final minute of added time Dallmann volleyed toward the bottom corner following a deflected Damnjanović cross, but Benkarth was able to save spectacularly to preserve the one-goal deficit.

Bayern started the second half in similar fashion as they ended the first. They were keeping Freiburg in a low block, and were able to fashion some decent chances. The most notable came in the 54th minute, where Kett’s shot that deflected toward Damnjanović, but her shot went into the side-netting.

In the 63rd minute though, Bayern would get their reward for their attacking pressure. Benkarth was able to punch a Bühl corner away, but only as far as Stanway on the right side. A shot-turned cross was drilled across the box from Stanway, and the substitute Oberdorf was able to redirect it into the top corner from close range, 2-0!

Now having some parity, Barcala made a double change, replacing Damnjanović and Dallmann with Lea Schüller and Pernille Harder.

Schüller almost responded immediately, following a brilliantly weighted cross from the edge of the box from Kett, but her header was saved at point-blank range.

In the 74th minute, Kett and Viggósdóttir were replaced by Tuva Hansen and Giulia Gwinn. A long awaited return for the Germany Captain, following a lengthy injury suffered at the Euro’s in the summer.

Freiburg were completely unable to fashion any chances, and Bayern’s dominance would go on to be reflected in the scoreline late on. In the 81st minute, a powerful Schüller shot broke through Benkarth’s outstretched hands and nestled into the bottom corner, 3-0!

In the 90th minute, Bühl would get her well-deserved goal with a cool finish, following a brilliant tackle by Oberdorf and a through ball from Stanway, 4-0!

Conclusions

Barcala needed his team to respond to criticism following the draw against Jena, but to respond so comprehensively against a high-flying side is certainly admirable. Freiburg’s only shot came in the 19th minute following a long ball in behind, and Bayern certainly could have been more clear if they had been able to take their chances. Ultimately, you cannot say that 4-0 is harsh on Freiburg, which is certainly a compliment to the team.

Gilles seems so key to Bayern’s set piece plans, which is somewhat unsurprising given her impressive record at Lyon. Bayern’s defenders had a knack for scoring last season, and Gilles seems to have got the memo and more. Three goals in Four games is impressive for any player, let alone a central defender. If she can also come up with some big moments in the UWCL, Bayern will feel their investment in her was absolutely worth it.

Oberdorf also continues to deliver consistently in the midfield, and her performance was especially impressive today given the circumstances. Zadrazil could be a huge miss given her importance to this Bayern team, but being able to have a player of Oberdorf’s quality come in to replace her place is a compliment to the strength in depth in midfield that was maybe missing in the previous years.

Any sign of improvement following Bayern’s maiden Double Winning campaign is something to be cheerful about at least!

Bayern’s next match hails the start of their DFB-Pokal defence against 3rd Tier Borussia Dortmund, on Monday 29th September.