Bayern fight back to draw with Barcelona despite hair-pull red card in UWCL semi-final

Franziska Kett ensured Bayern stayed level in the contest by scoring in front of 31,000 spectators at the Allianz Arena in the 69th minute. However, only ten minutes afterwards, the Germany international received a direct red card for tugging Salma Paralluelo by the hair.

The Bayern manager José Barcala also got sent off by official Ivana Martinčić due to his objections, which proved pointless as a VAR review upheld Kett’s infringement.

Prior to that, ex-Wolfsburg forward Ewa Pajor (8') gave Barca the advantage, with the Spanish team chasing their sixth straight final appearance.

"A difficult moment. She certainly had no intention of doing it," commented fellow player Klara Buhl regarding the key incident during the Disney+ broadcast.

"Her aim was to grab the shirt, which would have merited a yellow card, without doubt. The hair simply interfered."

Approaching what is their most significant game of the campaign to date, Bayern aimed to move past the embarrassment of October.

"You need to have faith in it," stated Germany international Bühl, making her first start in more than two months following recovery from a calf problem: "All players must demonstrate that faith."

Barcelona strikes early

Nevertheless, the respect from the Munich team towards their rivals was evident. Whenever Barcelona possessed the ball, Bayern retreated deep into their defensive third and sought opportunities on the break.

This approach succeeded occasionally, particularly via Bühl. Yet although Pernille Harder (7') squandered the initial promising opportunity, the Bayern fans likely dreaded the outcome when Pajor netted from the away side’s opening effort on goal in the eighth minute.

That represented nearly the extent of Barca’s efforts during the opening period. In contrast, Bayern built up assurance with Uli Hoeneß and club president Jan-Christian Dreesen present, beginning to gamble more. Right before the interval, Kett (42') created Bayern’s clearest opening, though Cata Coll blocked her in goal.

The away team started the second half aggressively and nearly extended their advantage. Esmee Brugts (49') struck the upright, while Bayern defender Vanessa Gilles (60') blocked a shot on the goal line.

Kett maintained Bayern’s aspirations of reaching the final for the initial time by levelling the score through a smooth collective effort in the 69th minute, assisted by Harder.

Following Kett’s dismissal, Bayern managed to secure the draw, keeping the aggregate finely balanced ahead of the return fixture in the Catalan city on 3 May, as Barcelona seek to advance to the final for the sixth year running.