The first leg ended all square. Barça and Bayern drew 1–1 in a high-intensity clash at an Allianz Arena packed with 31,000 fans. Pajor struck early for the Catalans, but the hosts responded and the teams are level pegging going into the second leg at Spotify Camp Nou.

Pajor opens the scoring

If anyone expected a repeat of October’s 7–1, it took only minutes to dispel that idea, with an early warning from Pernille Harder. What hasn’t changed, though, is Barça’s ruthlessness. Neither has Ewa Pajor’s instinct in front of goal. The Polish striker, despite her years at Wolfsburg, was playing at the Allianz Arena for the first time, and needed just eight minutes to do what she does best.

With a fine striker’s touch, she met a powerful cross from Esmee Brugts first time to make it 1-0. The goal brought a spell of Barça control, though without many clear chances. Bayern gradually grew into the game, first on the counter and then through sustained possession, pushing Barça back and back.

Cata Coll keeps Barça ahead

The Balearic goalkeeper ensured the visitors went in ahead at the break, producing a flying save to tip away a long-range effort from Kett just before half-time. After the restart, Pere Romeu’s side came out more assertive. Brugts rattled the post with a thunderous strike, but Bayern responded again, taking risks and attacking boldly in front of their home crowd.

Kett equalises… and is sent off

Barça continued to threaten, but Bayern were dangerous every time they moved forward. Romeu bolstered the visiting midfield by bringing on Serrajordi for the booked Vicky, yet the equaliser still came. A fine move saw Harder provide the assist and Kett finish to make it 1–1 with 20 minutes of the game left.

Things then turned chaotic. Referee Martincic spotted Kett pulling Salma’s hair off the ball and showed a straight red card. Bayern coach José Barcala was also sent off for protesting.

All to play for

With ten minutes plus stoppage time remaining, Barça pushed forward and pinned Bayern back. Mapi León came close to snatching a winner with a powerful long-range effort, but the score remained unchanged.

With the tie level after the first leg, the return at the Spotify Camp Nou is now a bigger game than ever.

    of

    MATCH STATS

    Bayern: 1
    Barça: 1

    Bayern: Mahmutovic; Gwinn, Viggosdottir, Gilles, Kett; Stanway, Amani; Dallmann (Ballisager 81'), Tanikawa, Buhl (Caruso 75'); Harder (Edna 90+4').

    Barça: Cata Coll; Batlle, Paredes, María León, Brugts; Patri, Alexia, Vicky (Serrajordi 62'); Graham (Paralluelo 73'), Pajor i Pina (Kika 73').

    Goals: 0-1, Ewa Pajor (min. 8); 1-1, Franziska Kett (min. 70)

    Referee: Ivana Martincic. Yellow cards for Vicky López, Patri Guijarro & Serrajordi (Barça). Red cards for Kett and coach Barcala (Bayern).

     

    Força Barça