The UWCL returns this week with a standout fixture as last season’s semi-finalists, Bayern Munich, take on WSL champions Manchester City. FC Bayern star winger Klara Bühl speaks ahead of Tuesday’s clash, discussing the team’s ambitions and goals for this season’s UWCL campaign.
FC Bayern’s 2024/25 UWCL journey ended at the quarter-final stage following defeat to Lyon. The following season brought clear improvement, with Bayern coming agonisingly close to reaching the final before being knocked out by eventual champions Barcelona. According to Bühl, the team’s goals for this season are clear.
“We want to achieve more this season. First, we want to reach the semi-final again, and of course we want to reach the final. We have gained a lot of experience. I have been here for six years, and every Champions League match and every season gives you something.” she says.
“Last year, we saw that we can compete with the big clubs. We can take confidence from that and believe that we can reach the final. We just have to take the right steps, believe in ourselves and trust the process.”
Bayern Munich remain the only team from the Frauen-Bundesliga to compete in this year’s European competition, and the club faces a demanding route to the knockout stage. After drawing Manchester City, Bayern must also face four-time European champions FC Barcelona, as well as perennial Liga F title contenders Real Madrid. Despite the difficulty of the draw, Bühl doesn’t believe that the club’s goals have to change.
“Of course, it is a tough draw, but we are also really excited. The Champions League is where you want to play these kinds of matches. You want to compete against the best. It will not be easy to [gain points], but that is our goal – to finish in the top four and qualify directly for the quarter-finals.” Bühl explains.
“[The draw] is not easy, but I also hope that when [the other clubs] saw they had to play against us, they thought the same. That makes it exciting.”
The club’s campaign begins with Manchester City, a meetup Klara described as ‘no easy game’.
“City are very good in attack. They are position-based, like us, and have a lot of possession in every match. They are creative offensively and very good on counter-attacks. That is something we have to prepare for.”
Coming up against powerful forward Bunny Shaw, while also looking to break through a defence featuring her international teammate Carlotta Wamser, will create a challenging contest for both sides. The two-time Ballon d’Or nominee believes the battle will ultimately be decided by which team can take greater control of the game.
“At the same time, we have our own strengths and want to bring them onto the pitch. We are physically strong and dynamic. We can be really dangerous when we get behind their back line, create threats, and use our movement and speed in the attacking areas.”
Bühl, who is currently second in goals and assists in the Frauen-Bundesliga, will be a key threat on the wing for Bayern. When discussing tactics against a physically strong opponent like City, she mentions the game comes down to one-on-one situations, and a strong push in attack.
“I have been working for a long time on becoming more dangerous in the box. I want either to shoot at goal or find the free player who can score. When it works, it feels really good.”
The headline fixture will take place at Bayern’s new home for this UWCL season in Unterhaching. With a capacity of more than 15,000, the ground promises an atmosphere that Bühl hopes can help push her side towards success.
“We want to involve [the supporters] in the game so that they can push us, and we can give them energy as well. We want to get something from the atmosphere, it is really important and can have a decisive impact on the game.”
