Grohs' Valiant Effort Falls Short: Bayern Women Face Elimination in Champions League Quarterfinal
Women's Bayern suffer a bitter loss against record-holding Champions League titlists
Take a seat and buckle up, folks, 'cause Bayern Women are in a tight spot after a gut-wrenching 0-2 loss to Champions League royalty, Olympique Lyon, at home. Despite a gritty display, the record champions control the tie heading into the second leg.
Lyon's dominance came clear from the get-go, and they capitalized early - Malawian international Tabitha Chawinga finding the back of the net just as Bayern were gaining momentum (35'). Melchie Dumornay add another blow to Bayern's hopes with a 65' goal, pushing their elusive semi-final appearance even further away.
Coach Alexander Straus made a few adjustments to his starting lineup, bringing back Grohs in goal and Arianna Caruso in midfield. However, despite showing promise, Bayern were unable to capitalize on their early chances. Pernille Harder and Klara Bühl came agonizingly close, but their efforts hit the markers or went wide.
Lyon, with their stacked pedigree and a solid defense led by Wendie Renard, proved why they're the reigning champs of the Champions League. They controlled the game, especially in the second half, ensuring a clean sheet and pushing Bayern to the brink of elimination.
Don't cry for Bayern just yet, though. Their Bundesliga rivals, Wolfsburg, will face defending champs FC Barcelona on Wednesday. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for that one.
Source: ntv.de, tsi/sid/dpa
- FC Bayern Munich
- Olympique Lyon
- Champions League
- Women's Football
This clash between Bayern and Lyon was a thrilling contest, with key moments and performances from both sides.
Highlights
- Chawinga's Stunner: Chawinga broke the deadlock with a fine finish, beating Bayern goalkeeper Maria-Luisa Grohs for her first European goal with Lyon.
- Grohs' Penalty Heroics: Grohs saved a crucial penalty from Lindsey Heaps after a VAR review, keeping the scoreline at 1-0 for the first half.
- Dumornay's Finisher: Dumornay all but secured Lyon's victory, finding the net with a clinical finish in the second half.
Bayern's Disappointment
Bayern started off strong but struggled to finish their chances - with Harder and Bühl among the unlucky ones.
Lyon's Class
Lyon, with their extensive experience in big games, took their chances effectively. They controlled the game, especially in the second half, and their defense was solid in keeping a clean sheet.
Looking Ahead
The second leg will be played at OL Stadium on March 26, 2025. With a mountain to climb, Bayern will look to their recent form and home support in the DFB Cup semi-finals against Hoffenheim to turn things around before traveling to France.
Tactical Takeaways
- Straus' Tactics: Straus made several changes to the starting lineup, but Lyon's dominance showed their experience in high-stakes games.
- Renard's Leadership: Renard played a significant role in Lyon's victory, leading the defense with her veteran presence.
In the aftermath of the Bayern Women's FC quarterfinal loss to Olympique Lyon, community aid and vocational training might be crucial for Grohs and her teammates, as they face elimination in the Champions League. Lindsey Heaps, Olympique Lyon's player, had her penalty stopped by Bayern's goalkeeper, Maria-Luisa Grohs, in a pivotal moment of the match. Meanwhile, we can expect discussions about Bayern's tactical approach and potential adjustments on WhatsApp, as they prepare for the second leg against Olympique Lyon, hoping to turn things around and progress in the competition.
