Bayern Munich beat Chelsea 2-1 in the First Leg of Their UEFA Champions League Semi-final

Chelsea came into the game riding a 13-match unbeaten run but Bayern Frauen were at home and would never go down without a fight. The first goal came only 12 minutes into the game when right-back Hanna Glas sent in a simple enough cross. Ann-Katrin Berger who has arguably been one of Chelsea’s best players this season in her position in goal let the ball slip and Sydney Lohmann headed in to open the scoring. 1-0, Bayern lead. Chelsea were building out well and moving the ball to dangerous areas but Bayern’s deep block meant they could not create much. Bayern’s 3-5-2 press started on the halfway line to show how deep they were. Bayern Captain Lina Magull put in a sparkling cross from a free-kick but Chelsea defended it well. 

The equalizer came moments later. Simone Laudehr went to head a free-kick clear, and it deflected off of Melanie Leupolz’s face and looped over the head of Laura Benkarth into the Bayern goal. The former Bayern midfielder thundered one in during Chelsea’s last game but had no idea about this goal. Pernille Harder had two chances to aim and failed to make anything of either in a game that was scrappy and bereft of clear-cut chances. Sam Kerr was put through on goal but fantastic defending from the Bayern defense allowed the ball to trickle into the hands of Benkarth. Harder would receive the first yellow of the game. 2 minutes added but 1-1 it stayed. Half-time.

The second half was as scrappy and tight as the first but Hanna Glas stepped up again. She powered her way into the box and turned to her weaker left foot. Her shot arrowed into the near post top corner but there was nothing Berger could do about it. She even got an injury for her attempt. 2-1 Bayern led. Chelsea replaced the disappointing Harder with Bethany England and she should have scored when Ji So-Yung’s terrific effort hit the underside of the bar. She jumped too early and could not get the power required to put it in. Captain Millie Bright put in a terrific cross and Bethany should have converted this chance but she couldn’t. 2-1 it stayed till the end. Emma Hayes will be disappointed in her team’s performance. Bayern win but Chelsea take an away goal advantage to Kingsmeadow next Sunday.