FC Bayern Frauen earn hard fought road win

Bayern survive a second half full of constant pressure to beat SGS Essen 2-0 on the road.

Coming off a busy international break, the Bayern Munich Frauen were on the road to SGS Essen for the final match of the Hinrunde (or the first half of the season). The hosts are in the bottom half of the table and have been winless in five, but they put up a fight not indicative of either of those traits.

It took longer than most have thought for Bayern to get on the board, but it was no surprise who got the goal. In the 30th minute Pernille Harder right in front of goal after receiving a great pass from Alara Sehitler — who is coming off her first cap with the German senior team last week. That was Harder’s sixth goal on the season and Sehtitler’s first assist.

Essen was stout on defense throughout — partially due to the nine saves that their keeper Winkler had — but in the second half they turned up the pressure in the attack as well. For most of the second half, Bayern were on their heels just trying to endure wave after wave of pressure and were struggling to retain any kind of possession. This caused Bayern to receive four yellow cards, all of which were either tactical or out of frustration.