The Bayern Munich Women vs Manchester United Women was a match of high intensity and excitement as the Bavarians ran out 3-2 winners.
Even though Bayern Munich Women have been dominant in the German Frauen Bundesliga for several years now, they haven’t translated that success onto the European stage.
The best they have done there was two semi-final appearances, the last of which happened in 2021.
This time, they reached another quarter-final in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, where they are favourites to go through after a 3-2 victory in the first leg against Manchester United Women at Old Trafford.
Here, we bring you three main takeaways from the Bayern Munich Women vs Manchester United Women match.
Takeaways From Bayern Munich Women vs Manchester United Women: José Barcala’s Side Can Win In Europe Against High-Level Opposition Despite Many Injuries
The first and perhaps most significant of the takeaways from Bayern Munich Women vs Manchester United Women is that José Barcala’s team were able to win away from home against top-level English opposition, despite a long list of injuries.
Among them is their best player by far, Germany international Klara Bühl, who has scored seven goals and contributed an incredible 13 assists in all competitions this season.
Bühl’s attacking left-wing position in the starting lineup was taken by the versatile Franziska Kett, who in recent years has been playing full-back on either side of the back-four.
She had trouble getting through the Manchester United defence before being moved back to her more natural position, after Momoko Tanikawa came into the game for the starting left-back Carolin Simon just before the hour mark.
The Japanese international youngster took the attacking position and managed an assist before getting the game-winner.
Meanwhile, Pernille Harder scored Bayern’s first two goals in the game. The Bavarians led twice before United pegged them back twice, but Tanikawa’s goal ended up being the winner.
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Unlike Domestically, Bayern Did Not Have It All Their Own Way
Another major takeaway from the first leg of Bayern Munich Women vs Manchester United Women is that, despite all the positives, Bayern were outplayed towards the end of the first half and at the beginning of the second.
It was only after Tanikawa’s substitution into the game that the contest shifted in the German side’s favour.
Before that, United seemed the more threatening. The Red Devils grew into the match quite well after Harder had given the Bavarians the early 1-0 lead, from their first attack of the match.
That was quite an unusual experience for a team that has won all their games in all competitions, since dropping points to Atletico Madrid on Matchday 5 of the Women’s Champions League.
Domestically, Bayern only have one draw in the Frauen Bundesliga in 20 outings, winning all other games and reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s DFB Cup. That’s why the Bayern Munich Women vs Manchester United Women matchup was an important test.
Besides the above-mentioned Atleti draw, Barcala’s side were hammered 7-1 by Barcelona on Matchday 1, which brings us to our next point.
Bayern Are Still Far Away From Barcelona, The Gold Standard In European Women’s Club Football
While Bayern will do well not to underestimate United in the second leg of Bayern Munich Women vs Manchester United Women next Wednesday, and therefore not look ahead, the possible semi-final opponents will almost certainly be Barca, who remain light years ahead of them.
Barca will be looking to return to European glory after they fell short to Arsenal in last season’s Women’s Champions League final.
Barca defeated Real Madrid away 6-2 in their own quarter-final first leg in the Women’s UEFA Champions League and will be looking to go all the way once more.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
Recording Date: 25.03.2026
