One challenger knocked down, likely for the count. Who’s next?
Bayern Munich planted an exclamation point atop their Frauen-Bundesliga campaign on Friday with a decisive 3-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg — the last team other than Bayern to win the title.
That was three seasons ago; this season, the Bavarians are looking for the three-peat. And though the stats may not show it — even possession and similar shots, with Wolfsburg having an edge in shots on target — this was a dominant Bayern performance that made it clear which of the two sides was second best.
Bayern got it going early through Pernille Harder, who pounced all too easily at the back post on a looping cross from deep from winger Alara Șehitler. That was in just the 13th minute, and Wolfsburg spirits sagged all the way through the first half. More than once Bayern looked to cut them open but the final incisive pass was not there on the day for the home side.
The second half barely got started before Harder pounced a second time, this time receiving from Jovana Damnjanović. Harder should have returned the favor later on but opted to try herself for a hat-trick…before turning provider herself for Lea Schüller, whose towering header for the 3-0 should have been the end of it on 69 minutes.
However, Bayern slipped into a characteristic lull — an ongoing point of emphasis for head coach Alexander Straus — and let Wolfsburg back into the game. Former Bavarian Linda Beerensteyn dazzled with a long dribble and solo goal to cut the lead to 3-1 at the 75’ mark, and Wolfsburg rained down a succession of chances in the ensuing minutes to threaten to make a game of it.
However, Bayern keeper Ena Mahmutovic stood strong. The 21-year-old was not overawed by the occasion and commanded her area well, making decisive calls and saves whenever she needed. As Mala Grohs eases her way back from a malignant tumor it is clear the Bavarians have a strong second option at keeper.
Bayern won’t have to rue any of their missed chances today too much, as the 3-1 result was totally deserved in the end and there is now a six-point advantage over the She Wolves. A pivotal game against Eintracht Frankfurt remains, where the Bavarians will look to have the same task — win and all but end their opponents’ title challenge; lose and it will be a sprint to the finish line.
A short week lies ahead as Bayern turn attentions to the remaining two competitions in the treble hunt. Neither match-up will be easy, however: the Bavarians host Lyon on Tuesday in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
