FC Bayern Women made it five straight wins with a 4-1 victory at home to Essen in the Google Pixel Bundesliga. Despite going a goal down inside two minutes, José Barcala's side hit back at the FC Bayern Campus as Lea Schüller equalised. Pernille Harder then put the champions ahead only moments later, before Schüller grabbed the third before the break. Linda Dallmann wrapped it all up in the closing minutes.
Bayern went into the break on a high as three victories in a week over Wolfsburg ( 3-1), Juventus ( 2-1) and Köln ( 5-1) got José Barcala's side back in the groove. Those 10 goals were spread across eight different scorers, while two substitutes ( Momoko Tanikawa and Pernille Harder) also netted against Köln, meaning the Reds have got a joint-league-leading seven goals off the bench (alongside Freiburg).
The Germany Women, led by Munich players Giulia Gwinn, Franziska Kett, Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller, Alara Şehitler and Linda Dallmann, laid the foundations for a place in the Nations League final in their semi-final first leg against France. The 37,191 fans in the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf saw a fast-paced and evenly-matched encounter. With 79 minutes on the clock, Klara Bühl had a go from around 18 metres out and hit the back of the net to score what was ultimately a deserved winner.
Bayern produced a top performance last weekend to b eat Wolfsburg 3-1 away from home. Klara Bühl, Momoko Tanikawa and Alara Şehitler got the goals to send the defending champions clear at the top of the table. The Munich Frauen also chalked up an important win during the week as they got their first Champions League points of the season with a 2-1 victory at home to Juventus. Lea Schüller came off the bench to score the winner deep into added time.
FC Bayern Women defender Vanessa Gilles sustained a muscle injury in her lower leg in the DFB Cup match at Borussia Dortmund on Monday evening, scans have confirmed. The 29-year-old Canadian will therefore be sidelined for several weeks. Gilles moved to Munich in the summer and has scored three goals in six appearances in all competitions.
After more than ten weeks out following the third knee injury of her career, the 26-year-old Germany captain made her return to the pitch. It was a moment that meant far more than simply returning to playing duties. For Gwinn, it once again marked a return from isolation, from rehab, from the enforced role of observer. And once again proof of the sheer willpower she possesses.
