Malawian Tabitha Chawinga says Olympique Lyonnais need to be at their best again against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg on March 26, 2025.
Chawinga said this in a post-match interview with UEFA media after leading Lyon to a 2-0 away win over Bayern Munich in the quarter final first-leg match on Tuesday.
"The performance was good. Our coach told us what we could do tonight and we prepared for almost a week for it. As a team, we'll celebrate the victory. Of course, it's just the first leg, so we'll need to prepare again,” she is quoted saying.
The 2024 CAF Awards and Ballon d’Or nominee said it was important to rectify shortfalls of the first leg in Germany.
"Taking a 2-0 lead into the second leg is good; it's very important. We'll go back home now and look at where we made mistakes and continue on so we can win again," the 28-year-old added.
Chawinga put the eight-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner on the path to victory after opening the scoring with 10 minutes to half-time.
The French side’s breakthrough came when a through ball found the 28-year-old on the left channels before the Malawian drifted inside in full flight in a solo run that ended with a ball past the hosts goalkeeper Maria Grohs. It was Chawinga’s first European goal for OL.
The margin could have been bigger but goalkeeper Maria-Luisa Grohs saved Lindsey Heaps' penalty just before half-time.
Melchie Dumornay cushioned the lead for the visitors in the 65th minute to take home a commanding lead ahead of the second leg scheduled for March 26, 2025.
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