Bayern Munich is pursuing victory in the initial encounter against Potsdam.
At the commencement of the Women's Bundesliga, Bayern Munich encountered a challenging opponent in Turbine Potsdam, the newly promoted team from Brandenburg. Despite Bayern's title and Supercup victories, the match turned out to be a close-fought battle. Ultimately, defending player Linda Sembrant sealed the victory for Bayern with two crucial headed goals.
The Bavarian team showcased resilience to avoid an unexpected setback in the opening Bundesliga fixture. Against Turbine, who relentlessly defended their turf, Bayern emerged victorious with a score of 2-0 (1-0). Sembrant was instrumental in securing the win, heading in both goals, in the 22nd and 85th minutes, respectively, in front of 6106 spectators at the Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht Stadium.
Many had anticipated that Turbine would put up a challenging fight, and Bayern coach Alexander Straus echoed those sentiments on MagentaTV during a pre-match interview. Turbine's persistence in defense was evident, leaving limited spaces for Bayern to exploit.
National team player Sydney Lohmann, along with Sembrant, Carolin Simon, and Lea Schüller, attempted to create opportunities in the first half. With an exquisite pass, Lohmann sent Schüller forward, who narrowly missed the goal. Despite their strong performances, Bayern lacked fluidity, as the six-time champions struggled to break through Turbine's tight defense.
"We somehow dozed off"
Turbine endured significant absences, with six players out for extended periods. However, the impact on their performance was scarcely noticeable. Coach Marco Gebhardt and Dirk Heinrichs had forecasted that their team would need to work hard, and they certainly lived up to their expectations in the defensive department. The substitute keeper, Anna Terestyenyi, had less work than anticipated.
Corner kicks presented the most significant goal-scoring opportunities for Bayern throughout the match. Following a corner kick from Simon, Sembrant capitalized on the chance, finding the net with a powerful header. Another corner by Giulia Gwinn hit the post later on, but Bayern's scoring chances were limited despite their dominance.
Even with an imposing lead, Bayern had to remain vigilant until the final whistle, as the determined Potsdam team sought to pull off an upset. Only in the 85th minute did Sembrant put an end to the suspense, scoring once again from a Gwinn corner. Terestyenyi unfortunately found herself in a difficult position and failed to make a saving attempt.
Recognizing the challenge posed by Turbine, the Commission decided to closely monitor the situation, as it pertains to the fair play regulations in women's football, given the spirited performance of the newly promoted team. Following the match, Bayern coach Alexander Straus praised Turbine's determination, stating, "They gave us a run for our money, and we somehow dozed off at times."
