Man Utd face tough challenge to overturn Bayern Munich deficit
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner acknowledges that visiting Germany to overturn a 3-2 first-leg loss against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final will be an unprecedented test for his team. However, he remains confident that the task is achievable.
Skinner dismissed suggestions that his team were naive for not securing the game after twice recovering from goals scored by former Chelsea player Pernille Harder. The first goal came within two minutes as Bayern executed their strategy flawlessly.
Instead, Skinner chose to focus on the positives from a match that ultimately slipped away due to an 81st-minute goal by Momoko Tanikawa.
"I wouldn't call it a naivety," said Skinner. "There's going to be a little bit of learning in any game, especially when you're playing a quarter-final of the Champions League.
I'm frustrated with all three goals. I don't think they had to work particularly hard to earn them.
But what I know about this team is that they will be open and honest with that and obviously we've got another leg to try and fix it and turn it around.
We have belief. Of course we do. There is no point going to Germany if we don't."
Bayern coach expects aggressive United press
Bayern coach Jose Barcala anticipated that United would employ a "really aggressive high press" and instructed his team to exploit spaces behind them immediately. His players executed this plan effectively. Arianna Caruso delivered a pass into the gap between United's defense and penalty area, allowing Harder to outpace captain Maya Le Tissier and score. Harder repeated this in the second half, assisted by Tanikawa, who later scored the winning goal.
"He has just won the game 3-2, he is going to say that," Skinner responded when informed that Barcala felt Bayern were comfortable during periods when United tried to unsettle them.
"Our challenge is to make them feel way more uncomfortable."
Match analysis and tactical reflections
Skinner countered suggestions that United might have been better served by dropping deeper to prevent Harder’s runs.
"There are two mistakes in there from us," he said. "If you get pressure on the ball, you can't play the long ball. They tried it a few times and played the ball out of play.
It worked for them tonight but if I stop those two chances, they don't score."
While the concept is straightforward, execution at the highest level is critical; failure to do so results in conceding goals.
Several minor factors contributed to United’s narrow defeat, including squad depth. For example, Japan midfielder Hinata Miyazawa participated in the Asian Cup final in Sydney on Sunday before traveling back to start for United. In contrast, Tanikawa, who did not play against Australia, began on the bench for Bayern. Aware of jetlag effects, Bayern introduced Tanikawa to influence the match, which she did by assisting Harder and scoring the decisive goal.
Skinner lacks the player rotation options available to Bayern, making the upcoming schedule demanding. United face a Women's Super League match against leaders Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, followed by the Champions League second leg in Germany next Wednesday at 17:45 BST.
"We've played the most football in Europe this year, and we've got a really small squad right now, so it will challenge us," Skinner said.
"It will take us to the depths. But the carrot is there for us.
We expect it to be difficult. You can kind of trench your mind into what you must do.
That's why my players are at Manchester United. If they didn't want to do it, they wouldn't be at this club. They're going to give it absolutely everything."
Additional information
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