The showdown in the UEFA Women’s Champions League saw FC Bayern Frauen face a daunting task as they took on the record champions, Olympique Lyon, in a quarter-final first leg at the FC Bayern Campus in Munich on March 18, 2025.
Despite the fervent support of the home crowd, Bayern suffered a tough 0-2 defeat, which puts them in a challenging position ahead of the return leg in Lyon. Lyon, having previously won the Champions League title eight times, came into the match as favorites, having dominated their group phase with a perfect six wins.
The match kicked off at 21:00 and was broadcasted on DAZN and DF1, ensuring fans could follow this critical match. DAZN offered a free stream of the game on their DAZN Rise channel, catering to audiences eager to catch the action. In a similar vein, the match garnered attention as both teams aimed for a place in the semi-finals.
Bayern, fresh off a solid 3-1 win against VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, were brimming with confidence. Coach Alexander Straus made several changes to the lineup, including the remarkable return of goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs, who was making her first start in 120 days after battling cancer. Her comeback was a story of resilience and hope as she had previously undergone treatment and made her return to the pitch.
From the outset, Lyon demonstrated their attacking prowess, and Tabitha Chawinga opened the scoring in the 35th minute following a defensive error from Bayern. She capitalized on a mistake by Bayern’s Linda Sembrandt and slotted past Grohs, sending the visitors into a 1-0 lead.
Just before halftime, Lyon had a chance to double their lead through a penalty taken by Lindsey Heaps after a foul by Bayern's Sarah Zadrazil. However, Grohs showcased her skills and saved the penalty, keeping her team in the game and earning praises like, "What a story! I got goosebumps," from DAZN expert Carmen Höfflin.
As the second half commenced, Bayern sought an equalizer with Klara Bühl coming close at the 49th minute but failing to convert. In an unfortunate turn of events, Lyon extended their lead with a goal from Melchie Dumornay in the 65th minute, effectively putting Bayern in a precarious position. Dumornay received a pass after a brilliantly orchestrated attack and confidently finished past Grohs, making it 0-2 for the visitors.
Despite the score, Bayern remained determined, with several attempts to narrow the gap, yet they struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Harder’s late shot was blocked, exemplifying Bayern's frustration as they searched for a crucial goal to take into the return match.
The match concluded with a significant triumph for Lyon, who displayed their championship pedigree throughout the game. Bayern must now regroup and strategize effectively before facing Lyon again, with Klara Bühl acknowledging the ‘very, very intense weeks’ that lay ahead and emphasizing the need for increased confidence in their gameplay.
This result means Bayern goes into the second leg with a considerable handicap, needing a robust performance to overturn the deficit. Coach Straus, reflecting on the game, stated, "We need to be more confident and brave in our game," highlighting the areas that need improvement ahead of their next outings.
As they prepare for the upcoming DFB-Pokal semi-final against TSG Hoffenheim before the critical return leg in Lyon, the Bayern players must channel their resilience and fervor. They will look to build on their challenging experiences from this match and strive for a strong comeback against the heavyweights of European women’s football.
