A new chapter begins for the FC Bayern women’s team on Tuesday evening. Their Champions League opener against Manchester City will be a true test of their mettle right off the bat. At the same time, the team’s new European home venue in Unterhaching will make its debut. The Munich women’s ambitions are higher than they’ve ever been.
The German champions want to firmly establish themselves among Europe’s elite. After reaching the semifinals last season, they aim to go one step further this time around. The ultimate goal is the final in Warsaw at the end of May 2027.
“Of course, we’d all love to win the Champions League here someday,” captain Giulia Gwinn told *kicker*. Last season’s performances showed that the gap to Europe’s elite has narrowed: “We were close last season; in the semifinals, we were able to hold our own for a long time against the eventual champion, FC Barcelona. We’re no longer worlds apart from these teams.”
Bayern is investing millions in a new home
Bayern isn’t just looking to take the next step on the field. The facilities have also been significantly upgraded. For a sum in the tens of millions, the Unterhaching Sports Park was expanded to become the women’s team’s new home.
Among other things, the turf and floodlights were replaced. Bayern President Herbert Hainer recently even described the project as a “revolution in German women’s soccer.”
Coach Jose Barcala hopes the move will provide an extra boost. “We can create magical nights in Unterhaching,” the Spaniard explained. “We want to turn it into our home, with a special atmosphere thanks to the fans’ support.”
The first opportunity to do so comes right away against a top European club. Manchester City, the English double winner, is traveling to Munich.
“Reaching the final is a truly big goal for us,” Klara Bühl made clear. At the same time, she warned about the opening opponent: “But that’s exactly why we’re eager to play against them. It will come down to tactics and one-on-one matchups.”
Bayern is Germany’s sole representative
The matchup takes on special significance due to several personal connections. In Carlotta Wamser, Bühl will face a DFB teammate who recently transferred from Bayer Leverkusen to Manchester.
“That’s why I know her well. It’s cool to play against her now,” explained the Bayern forward. Further reunions with Rebecca Knaak and Sydney Lohmann, however, may not happen just yet, as both have recently been sidelined by injury.
Bayern are also the sole bearers of German hopes in the Champions League this season. VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt were already eliminated in the qualifying rounds.
The road through Europe won’t be easy. Real Madrid, their next high-profile opponent, awaits in Unterhaching on October 28. To cap off the group stage, they’ll face FC Barcelona once again on December 16.
The Munich women will continue to be without Lena Oberdorf. Due to her knee problems, the midfielder isn’t even on the registered roster for the league phase.
That doesn’t change their big goals. “Dreams are important,” Barcala emphasized. For the Bayern women, the work to turn the dream of their first Champions League triumph into reality begins now against Manchester City.