Three cheers for Pernille Harder!
Two early goals saw TSG Hoffenheim race to a lead in the DFB-Pokal Frauen Semifinals, but Bayern Munich roared back through a Pernille Harder hat-trick to book a date to the Final in Cologne.
Harder is on a tear, having played a huge role in Bayern’s crucial 3-1 league win over Wolfsburg last Friday. The Bavarians have been finding it difficult to fight on all three fronts, going down to Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League mid-week — but, with Harder leading the way again, have bounced back in style in the domestic cup.
Full match replay available on YouTube via DAZN.
A long ball out of defense beat Bayern down its left flank courtesy of a superb take by Jill Janssens, and Bayern’s midfield were slow to track back as well. The latter proved crucial as the cut-back arrived at the feet of Erëleta Memeti, who looped it over keeper Ena Mahmutovic in the 14th minute. TSG added a second when a back-pass from Sydney Lohmann was seized upon by Memeti and finished off by Féli Delacauw.
Bayern worked back quickly. A lovely counterpress resulted in a Jovana Damnjanović cross that found Harder towering central to head it home. Five minutes later, Bayern won a penalty from a corner and Harder stepped up to equalize.
In the second half, Hoffenheim keeper came out to sweep a long ball but missed her connection, leaving Harder to chase down the ball and walk it into the net for her hat-trick. It would prove to be the goal that sent Bayern into the Final.
The Final will take place on May 1st. Hamburger SV and Werder Bremen face off on Sunday to determine Bayern’s opponents. For head coach Alexander Straus and the Bavarians…the treble is still very much alive.
