A crucial away goal by Fran Kirby has seen Chelsea Ladies emulate their male counterparts by beating Bayern Munich in the equivalent Champions League competition.Leading by a single goal collected in the first game at home, a trip to the 12,500 capacity Grunwalder Stadium was never going to be easy.
Munich started strongly pushing for an early goal, however Emma Hayes side, defended strongly and with purpose. That 1-0 lead from the first leg was holding strong at half time. With an hour gone in the game Chelsea Ladies doubled their lead, Chelsea’s official website describe the moment
`On the hour, the moment arrived. And in some style! A Bayern move broke down and Blundell`s clearance fell Bachmann`s way a few yards inside her half. The Swiss star cleverly headed upwards, and then had the presence of mind to spot Kirby racing clear through the middle, and the ability to play the pass into the striker`s path.
Kirby still had plenty to do, and plenty of time to think about it as she bore down on goal. She took it a little wide but used the angle to her advantage, clipping an exquisite finish high beyond Zinsberger and into the far corner.’
Munich weren`t finished though and despite needing three goals to secure victory upped their game even more.They equalised on the night in the 76th minute and still pushed forward. With seven minutes remaining they took the lead and needed just one more goal.
In true Chelsea backs-to-the-wall style though, the ladies held out and secured a famous victory on the away goals rule. Like Chelsea men`s 2012 Champions League win, the ladies victory was achieved in Munich, a city now synonymous with Chelsea triumphs. The win sees Chelsea move into the last 16 of the competition.
Here at Vital Chelsea, we`d like to send our congratulations to Emma Hayes and the team and wish them good luck in the next round.
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