Barça will need the magic of the Camp Nou to play a new Champions League final

MunichBarça draws at Bayern Munich's ground (1-1) and will have to win next Sunday (4:30 PM) at Camp Nou to be in the Champions League final in Oslo. The "azulgranas" took an early lead with a goal from Ewa Pajor in an imposing setting like the Allianz Arena –which acted as the 12th player–, but saw Kett –who was eventually sent off for pulling Salma's hair– equalize the match in the second half.

Seven years ago, Barça visited Munich with the hope of becoming one of the great teams in Europe. It had not been an easy season; they had a coaching change in January with the arrival of Lluís Cortés in place of Fran Sánchez. That team dreamed of reaching a Champions League final, a feat never achieved until then. With this motivation, they went to Germany to play the second Champions League semi-final in their history. A tie that the Catalan team ended up winning (2-0 aggregate) to play in their first European final.

Since then, the Blaugranas have not missed a single semi-final round. They have been among the top four teams in Europe for eight consecutive seasons, having played in six finals. Seven years later, Barça has returned to the place where it became great: Munich. This time, however, it has done so having become the team to beat for everyone and on a majestic stage, the Allianz Arena (in 2019 the match was played at the Bayern Campus).

Pajor starts the way

A very evenly matched game between two teams that have had a "spectacular" season, as stated in the preview by José Barcala, the Galician coach of Bayern Munich. The first chance was for the Bavarian team with a shot from Pernille Harder that went directly wide. But the one who carried the entire weight of the German attack was Klara Bühl, the great star of Bayern.

Barça has not had a comfortable match, but they have quickly found the goal. Patri Guijarro threaded a pass to Esmee Brugts, who put the ball into the penalty area for Ewa Pajor's shot. Calm among the blaugrana fans who have traveled to Munich; about two hundred between those in the away end and those who infiltrated the home section, but not in the dugout area. Pere Romeu appeared very nervous during the first half. A sign that something was not quite convincing the Catalan was the moment of the goal celebration. Romeu did not let Patri Guijarro celebrate and quickly called her over to give her some instructions.

Bayern, very well positioned on the field, has placed its lines very close together, which has made it difficult for the blaugranas' attacks, who have had calm, but not precision. The Bavarian team has finished the first half much better –with a cheering section that has acted as the 12th player– and has forced Cata Coll to intervene to prevent the 0-1 after a shot from Kett.

Kett equalizes and is sent off

The second half has started lively with a first clear chance for Esmee Brugts. The Dutchwoman's shot crashed against the post and Mahmutovic almost put the ball into her own net on the rebound. Patri also had the 0-2 after heading a corner, but Gilles saved on the goal line. Meanwhile, in defense, Mapi León was imperial, very focused on preventing dangerous actions from Bayern.

In one of Barça's best moments in the match (with chances to score the second), a quick counter-attack from the Germans to equalize the match. Pernille Harder perfectly got in behind Irene Paredes and Ona Batlle to combine with Kett and level the tie amidst the celebration of the 31,000 people present at the Allianz Arena, a Champions League record, who danced to the rhythm of the can-can.

A European tie is decided by small details. You also need a bit of luck and for the scales to tip in your favor. And Barça has found it at the Allianz Arena with the expulsion of Kett for pulling Salma Paralluelo's hair. Coach José Barcala has also received a red card amidst protests from the Allianz Arena, who have started whistling Salma every time she touched the ball. Mapi León and Salma had the winning goal, but Mahmutovic prevented it with a great save. Barça secures a valuable one-all draw from an imposing venue, the Allianz Arena, and will have to win next Sunday (4:30 PM) at Camp Nou if they want to be in the Champions League final in Oslo.