Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal: Player ratings as Schuller gives Bayern UWCL advantage
Lea Schuller scored the sole goal for Bayern Munich in their 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Allianz Arena.
It was an even match-up in the opening minutes, with both sides having chances. There was an early penalty shout for Arsenal in the 8th minute after the ball hit Glodis Perla Viggosdottir's arm but VAR deemed it to be in a natural position.
The visitors began to get sloppy midway through the first half as Caitlin Foord failed to clear a Bayern chance moments before Rafaelle accidentally released Schuller to dribble straight into the box, and take a shot.
Bayern grew into the match as the mistakes began to creep into Arsenal's game, and Schuller opened the scoring in the 38th minute. She started the move by feeding the ball to Maximiliane Rall and then sped into the box to get on the end of the right-back's cross. Schuller lept high over Laura Wienroither to head the ball into the back of the net.
The second half saw a much more assured and confident Arsenal, who managed to hit the post in the 52nd minute after Foord curled a shot that sped past Maria Luisa Grohs and hit the far post. Minutes later, Stina Blackstenius' effort was cleared off the line by the vastly experienced Saki Kumagai.
In the 70th minute, their appeared to be a Bayern backpass after Viggosdottir seemingly guided the ball to Grohs' arms as Arsenal looked to score from a scramble in the box, but the referee waved to play on. VAR, who can only intervene in offsides, penalties, mistaken identities and red cards, could not give Arsenal the indirect free-kick.
Rall had a chance to score Bayern's second in the dying minutes, but her shot was a comfortable save for Manuela Zinsberger.
The win means that Bayern head to the Emirates Stadium with a 1-0 advantage for the second leg.
Bayern Munich player ratings (4-2-1-3)
GK: Maria Luisa Grohs - 7/10 - Made three comfortable saves, and had good communication with her backline. Arsenal didn't trouble her too much.
RB: Maximiliane Rall - 7/10 - Registered the crucial assist while also taking care of her defensive duties.
CB: Saki Kumagai - 8/10 - Had crucial clearance off the line, and a blocked shot.
CB: Glodis Perla Viggosdottir - 9/10 - Great partnership with Kumagai, and the pair denied Arsenal's central threats completely. Seven clearances and seven blocked shots throughout the 90 minutes.
LB: Tuva Hansen - 7/10 - Caused problems on the left-hand side, and did well in her defensive shape.
CM: Georgia Stanway - 7/10 - A solid performance in midfield, with four key passes showing her willingness to release her teammates forward.
CM: Sarah Zadrazil - 7/10 - Was all over the pitch, pressing, and defending her backline.
AM: Lina Magull - 6/10 - Not the best performance from the captain, as the ball just wasn't sticking to her feet the way it normally does. Showed good leadership throughout.
RW: Klara Buhl - 7/10 - Was positioned as a right-wing, but strangely was given a more free-role, and dominated all areas of the pitch. Worked tiredly off the ball.
ST: Lea Schuller - 9/10 - Took her goal well, and consistently tested Arsenal's backline with her seven shots.
LW: Sydney Lohmann - 6/10 - Got a yellow for keeping the ball from McCabe when the referee gave Arsenal a late free-kick, which earned her a pat on the back from Stanway. Also helped out off the ball quite a bit.
Substitutes
SUB: Jovana Damnjanovic (79' for Schuller ) - 5/10
SUB: Franziska Kett (85' for Magull) - N/A
SUB: Emilie Bragstad (90+1' for Stanway) - N/A
Manager
Alexander Straus - 7/10 - Took advantage of Arsenal's weak points, and didn't derive from his plan. May have to be a bit more expansive at the Emirates.
Arsenal player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Manuela Zinsberger - 7/10 - Can't really blame her for the goal, as it was a powerful, well placed header. A big save in the final five minutes to deny a second goal, and bailed out her backline a few times.
RB: Laura Wienroither - 6/10 - Struggled to get involved in the game much.
CB: Leah Williamson - 7/10 - Defended well, and was heavily involved in all phases of play.
CB: Rafaelle - 7/10 - Almost had an error that led to a goal, but otherwise, was able to keep it tight at the back.
LB: Noelle Maritz - 6/10 - Got forward a lot, and was involved with build-up play, but just couldn't pick the best final third pass.
CM: Kim Little - 7/10 - Commanded the centre of the pitch, but could have offered more going forward.
CM: Frida Maanum - 6/10 - Not as involved as she could have been.
CM: Lia Walti - 7/10 - Two key passes, but lacked good decision making at times.
RW: Katie McCabe - 7/10 - Aggressive and passionate as always. Wanted to get forward a lot, and managed to create good chances.
ST: Stina Blackstenius - 6/10 - Only the one shot on target. Arsenal need more from their number nine.
LW: Caitlin Foord - 8/10 - Arsenal's best player for large spells, and always looked like she was going to make something happen.
Substitutes
SUB: Victoria Pelova (60' for Wienroither) - 5/10
SUB: Kathrine Moller Kuhl (81' for Blackstenius) - 5/10
Manager
Jonas Eidevall - 5/10 - Bayern were contempt to sit back, and defend, and Eidevall did not show much creativity in his subs to punish the home side's approach. It was clear that a goalscorer was missing from the squad, and Arsenal will certainly regret not bringing one in during the winter window.