Manchester City battles to 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in Champions League opener

Two goals down with less than 20 minutes of the first half remaining, Manchester City’s return to the UEFA Women’s Champions League looked like it might be over before it really started. Instead, Andrée Jeglertz’s side clawed their way back to a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich on September 22, becoming the first English team to avoid defeat at the German giants in European competition.

Bayern struck first, and second

Bayern Munich wasted no time establishing control. Giulia Gwinn opened the scoring in the 11th minute, capitalizing on the hosts’ early pressure to put City on the back foot almost immediately.

Things got worse in the 28th minute when Kerstin Casparij turned the ball into her own net. But City showed why they’re reigning Women’s Super League champions. Beth Mead pulled one back just before halftime, timing her goal perfectly to shift the momentum heading into the break.

The second half brought drama of a different kind. Khadija Shaw stepped up to take a penalty that could have leveled the match much earlier, but failed to convert.

Carlotta Wamser struck in the 86th minute to complete the comeback and secure a point.

Context makes this result matter more

This wasn’t just any Champions League fixture for Manchester City. The club had been absent from the UWCL for an entire season, making this match a genuine return to the biggest stage in European women’s football. Their last appearance in the competition saw them reach the quarterfinals two seasons ago, where they were eliminated by Chelsea.

The timing of their return has been complicated by a wave of injuries. Rebecca Knaak, Vivianne Miedema, and Niamh Charles were all unavailable, while Laura Wienroither’s unregistered status further hampered City’s options.

What this means for City’s campaign

Wamser’s late equalizer carries significance beyond just this single match. For a team dealing with absences elsewhere in the squad, having a new arrival step up this early is valuable.

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