Pernille Harder scored twice as Bayern Munich secured a 3-2 first-leg advantage over Manchester United in the Women’s Champions League quarter-final.
United twice came from behind to level but Momoko Tanikawa’s 84th-minute strike gave Bayern the edge ahead of next week’s return in Germany. Bayern scored with three of their four shots on target; Harder’s first two were near-identical as she ran off the back of Maya Le Tissier to face Phallon Tullis-Joyce one-on-one and finished both chances expertly.
Between Harder’s goals, United captain Le Tissier converted a well-taken penalty, and Hanna Lundkvist nodded in from a Le Tissier corner to make it 2-2.
The visitors, unbeaten in 23 games, were superior from open play—dominating possession and passing with quality. Substitute Tanikawa collected a pass from Franziska Kett on the edge of the area and drilled a fine finish into the bottom corner.
Marc Skinner will know his side must improve to have any chance of progressing, while also preparing for a Manchester derby at Old Trafford in three days. The task of balancing elite European competition with domestic commitments has become more urgent.
Man Utd unable to reach full potential
Sky Sports Laura Hunter at Old Trafford:
So much of me wanted to write about a performance that showed United’s strength of character, but there was a sense of despondence as Skinner’s side were unpicked on home turf. The first goal, conceded inside 98 seconds, can be blamed on nerves, but the other two came from Bayern’s superior intelligence in the final third. Their pace, tempo and finishing were devastating, and they varied their approach, going long when needed.
United looked one or two players short of the quality Bayern could call on. Match-winner Momoko Tanikawa changed the game despite being on the pitch for only 19 minutes. “I’m frustrated with all three goals,” Skinner said. “We left the space for Pernille Harder to score twice.” United must fix that space management and overall game control for the second leg.
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 need to get through the pressing and not play so direct.”
Also in the Women’s Champions League
Barcelona put one foot into the last four with a 6-2 first-leg victory over Real Madrid. Ewa Pajor scored twice, with goals from Esmee Brugts, Irene Paredes, Vicky Lopez and a late penalty from Alexia Putellas sealing a comprehensive win, despite Linda Caicedo’s two goals for the hosts.