UEFA Women’s Champions League: Matchday 1 Report | OneFootball

Matchweek 1 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League revealed some interesting things. Let’s recap what we learned.

FC Bayern Munich 2 – 2 Manchester City

There are chinks in the champion’s armor. Both of them.

The club champions of Germany and England faced off in this year’s Champions League opener in Unterhaching. In the first half, City looked vulnerable in defence, consistently open centrally and on the left-hand side in particular as Carlotta Wamser pushed forward. After 28 minutes, Bayern led 2-0 courtesy of Giulia Gwinn and Kerstin Casparij’s own goal from Gwinn’s cross. Beth Mead scored her first Manchester City goal just before half-time, tapping in from Khadija Shaw’s deflected shot.

The second half exposed Bayern’s own defensive frailties. Over the summer transfer window, Bayern lost Georgia Stanway and Ariana Caruso, a tried and tested pair from last season. Their departures mean that Momoko Tanikawa, naturally an attacking midfielder, has had to slot in alongside Bernadette Amani until Lena Oberdorf returns to full fitness. A similar out-of-position issue applies at left-back, where Fraziska Kett, a natural left-winger, has been playing in the defensive line and has had to learn quickly while Katharina Naschenweng regains her fitness. These holes gave Shaw space to drop into midfield and find Aoba Fujino, whom Ena Mahmutović felled in the box. Mahmutović saved Shaw’s penalty and kept going. City eventually exposed their hosts’ shape, quickly pushing forward and finding Grace Clinton in space. Clinton found Lauren Hemp, who linked with Laura Blindkilde before Wamser found the bottom left corner to level the contest.

Next Games:

Benfica vs. Bayern MunichManchester City vs. Real Madrid

Arsenal 1 – 0 HB Køge

The goal-shy Gunners barely escaped this one with full points.

Going into this clash with Danish Champions HB Køge, Arsenal’s form was poor. The Gunners have only one win, and scored two goals in their past three games. Chloe Kelly thought she’d scored Arsenal’s third in the 13th minute as she flicked in Kyra Cooney-Cross’ cross, but it was overturned by VAR.

Arsenal predominantly attack on the wings, where the likes of Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith thrive in 1v1 scenarios. Forewarned, Køge defended in a narrow 4-4-2. They allowed Arsenal to cross the ball while they packed out the centre to deny anyone time to shoot. As 45 became 60, and 60 moved to 75, Arsenal continued to attack to no avail. But when the clock hit the 91st minute, Arsenal’s new signing Selina Cerci was tripped in the box, causing the referee to point to the spot. Mariona Caldentey’s penalty snuck under Alberte Vingum’s glove and into the bottom left corner.

At full-time, the Gunners had put in thirty-five crosses and attempted nineteen shots, only two of which were on target. Renée Slegers is a strong tactician and will need to quickly figure out a solution.

Next Games

Paris FC vs. ArsenalHB Køge vs. Servette

Barcelona 5 – 2 Paris FC

Barcelona begin their post-Alexia era.

Losing Alexia Putellas, Mapi León, Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo during the offseason (and Aitana Bonmatí to injury) would severely debilitate any team, especially one with few summer incomings. Despite this, nobody expected Paris FC to be a goal up within five minutes. Barcelona began uncharacteristically out of sync. Sydney Schertenlieb’s throw-in was missed by Esmee Brugts, directly leading to Evelyn Viens ‘ well-taken opener.

One way Barcelona have adapted to their departures is by placing Clàudia Pina in midfield and playing new signing Kerolin on the left wing. The pair found the equaliser as Pina passed and Kerolin coolly scored her first for the club. By the 43rd minute, the holders were 4-1 up and in full stride, with goals from Clara Serrajordi, Ewa Pajor and Caroline Graham Hansen rounding up the half.

As the second half progressed, Schertenlieb began to play more centrally rather than at right-back. The benefits of Pere Romeu’s tactical tweak paid off and led to Barça’s fifth; her backheel fell to Lúa Arufe Calo and her pass found Ewa Pajor. Barcelona’s attacking nature and lack of pace in the backline were exposed by the Parisians’ neat passing, which gave Aurelie Reynders space to run into and Clara Mateo to shoot twice before scoring.

It is clear to see that Barcelona are in a transitional period and require time to bed in the many talented players coming through at La Masia. The Catalans have enough world-class experience in the likes of Irene Paredes, Patri Guijarro and Caroline Graham Hansen in each department to keep the team stable.

Next Games:

AS Roma vs. BarcelonaParis FC vs. Arsenal

                                                  You’re in the Big Leagues Now

Chelsea 1 – 0 FK Austria Wien

Patricia Pfanner had the honor of taking FK Austria Wien’s first-ever shot in the Women’s Champions League; which was from distance and comfortably saved. Two minutes later, the Austrian Champions were down a goal courtesy of an excellent Wieke Kaptein strike from about 20 yards out, which crashed in off the crossbar.

Chelsea continued on the front foot, mostly on the right-hand side where Alyssa Thompson’s dribbling proved hard to stop. As Chelsea’s pressure subsided around the half-hour mark, the Viennese side began growing into the game. First, a short corner was fired in by Modesta Uka; the attempt was saved into the path of centre-back Virginia Kirchenberger, who skied the best chance of the game thus far. 

Welcome to the big leagues, Wien!

One of Wien’s brightest sparks of the night was Louise Schöffel. In a move that began at the touchline, the midfielder slalomed inwards and past two Chelsea players before shooting just wide of Livia Peng’s goal. Chelsea’s fullbacks Ellie Carpenter and Katie McCabe were given license to get forward and attack, meaning Austria Wien’s wing-backs in their 3-4-3 had space to run into when Chelsea attacked. The plan nearly worked out when Pfanner found Uka, whose swivel, turn and shot forced Peng into another save.

Chelsea were caught trying to lure Wien out from the back and were lucky not to concede a penalty; the ensuing chance once again forced Peng into action. Entering the last ten minutes, it became clear that Uka was most likely to change the scoreline. Surrounded by four players, the Kosovan took a couple of touches on her left foot into a more central position; her shot kissed the post and went out for a goal kick, leaving the score unchanged.

The Violets were founded eleven years ago and were playing their first-ever European game against one of the favourites away from home. The Austrian side have something to build upon based on that performance and may even be capable of taking a couple of famous scalps along the way. The squad includes players who have experience playing in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga. The core group of Jasmin Pal, Verena Hanshaw, Virginia Kirchberger,  Lotta Cordes and Bayern Munich legend Carina Wenniger will help the team acclimatise to the step up.

Next Games:

OL Lyonnes vs. ChelseaAustria Wien vs. Inter Milan