Arsenal’s WSL frustrations transferred to European competition as Rene Sleggers’ side gave up a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League.
The Gunners were left disappointed after losing three points due to a controversial refereeing decision in their last game against Chelsea, but they used that frustration to their advantage with a convincing first half at the Allianz Arena.
Goals from Emily Fox and Mariona Caldenti gave the visitors the upper hand, but Panneer Harder made a stunning comeback in the second half to hand the European champions their second defeat in three Champions League games.
Grodis Vygosdóttir made a stunning comeback in the second half.
Sleggers said before the match that although he was dissatisfied with the way the match played against Chelsea, he was satisfied with the performance that led him to name the same XI against the German champions.
The decision quickly paid off as the Foxes looped Beth Meade’s shot past Maria Grose to give the visitors the lead in the opening five minutes.
Emily Fox gave Arsenal the perfect start against Bayern Munich
With the WSL side looking set to take full control, Caldenti doubled their advantage with a superb shot from the edge of the box.
However, this game will be a tale of two halves, as Bayern played a much more competitive game after the break. Jose Barcala’s substitution turned the game on its head, with substitute Alara Zechtler and Harder scoring twice to level the score with a quarter to go.
Mariona Caldenti doubled Arsenal’s lead with a shot from the edge of the area.
Harder’s goal was an incredible volley from range that arrowed into the top corner, leaving Arsenal on the ropes. The decisive strike came from Munich captain Glodis Perla Vygosdóttir, who slotted in Clara Bühl’s cross at the front post.
Arsenal’s second-half capitulation left them with just three points in the Champions League, making their chances of finishing in the top four and progressing to the quarter-finals all but impossible.
‘Arsenal need to deal with direct play better’
Arsenal struggled against Bayern Munich’s physicality
Arsenal manager Lenny Sleggers said on Disney+ after the game:
“I thought we did a lot of really good things with the ball. I think we caused problems for the smaller players and our high press worked really well.”
“We all fought back even though our press broke once or twice.We said we probably would do something different in the second half because we were down 2-0 at home.
“That’s what they did. I think that changed the game in the second half. They played more of a long-ball and second-ball game and piled the numbers up high. We didn’t do enough with that. We weren’t good enough.”
“It was a very transitional period. It was physically demanding. If you let them play the game with long balls and second balls in the back, they had all the numbers, so they did that really well.”
“I think we lacked a little bit of energy and physicality in that moment. I think we played to their strengths in the second half. But at the same time, this is football and we have to deal with these things. We know we can deal with these things, but we didn’t do enough tonight.”
“The players will watch the game as usual, the coach will of course watch the game and then we will travel tomorrow and come back the day after tomorrow to start preparing for Tottenham.”
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Bayern Munich’s comeback has won the Champions League for the second time this season.
Bayern Munich coach Jose Barcala said this on Disney+ after the game.
“Obviously it was a half for both teams. We had some problems in the first half overcoming Arsenal’s high press and they pulled us out of the game. Conceding two goals left us under pressure with a lot of questions.”
“We made some adjustments at halftime and obviously we had a different solution in the second half.
“We tried to keep the six on base and create an overload inside. Pocket players gained space behind and found more solutions in a more direct way.”
“We were calmer on the ball, more present. We found free players and Arsenal reduced the intensity of their press.
“Even though we won, we have to be honest with our analysis. We have to look at what happened in the first half. We can’t just think everything was great. We have to fix a lot of things.”
Stanway: Bayern nervous at Allianz Arena
Bayern Munich and England midfielder Georgia Stanway spoke to Disney+.
“I feel good, but a little relieved. I was very unsatisfied with the first half. The second half was a completely different game, with a lot of character.
“Every time we play here, something like this happens in the first half. The more you play here, the more you get used to this environment. This is a little unusual and I’m feeling a little emotional.”
“Right into halftime we were able to talk about it and look at pictures and the second half was a completely different game.
“The reality is we want people to come back. We’re nervous to create a good environment and a good game to keep our fans here.”
