Women's Bundesliga: On a farewell tour

Dusk had long since fallen over the stadium at Brentanobad when many children and young people were still waiting at the barrier to the cabin entrance after the Bundesliga top game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich (0-1). On the other side was Klara Bühl during the television interviews. While the broadcasters interviewed Bühl, the fans waited for autographs and selfies. Germany's best striker decided the low-chance duel for champions Bayern after a Frankfurt corner.

Brilliantly staged by Dutch top talent Sophie Proost, Bühl smashed the ball into the corner with his left at full speed “in world-class style – that was the difference,” said Frankfurt coach Niko Arnautis about the goal. His match plan worked out to 0-1 (18th), but was not adjusted later. Bayern coach José Barcala spoke of a “victory of maturity, mentality and mindset”. Certainly right, because the Bavarians hardly allowed any chances apart from a header from Eintracht captain Laura Freigang (60th).

But the Munich women are winning such tough arguments in these strenuous weeks mainly because Bühl scores. “It's a nice feeling, it gives you self-confidence,” said the 25-year-old, who broke the spell after 74 minutes in the Champions League away game at Benfica Lisbon (3-0) three days ago.

"I'm incredibly happy when I bring my performance to the pitch like this. That's not something to be taken for granted. I'm doing a lot for that." The match winner revealed with a broad grin that she wanted to treat herself to a pizza to celebrate the day. The Bavarians have now been unbeaten in the Bundesliga for 48 games. Given the clean slate after six match days, everything looks like the next breakthrough.

The only downside was that defender Giulia Gwinn was escorted to the bus with a bandaged ankle: the DFB captain had sprained her left ankle, but Barcala assured: everything was fine, no serious injury. Nevertheless, it is not entirely certain whether Gwinn will come to the meeting point in Heidelberg on Monday when the DFB women gather for the friendly matches against Australia in Karlsruhe (October 9th) and against Japan in Bremen (October 13th).

There are no doubts about Bühl, who was identified by national coach Christian Wück as a world-class player when she took office because of her two-footed ability. But especially in the 2025 European Championship semi-finals against Spain (0:1 n.V.) and in the Nations League final against the world champions (0:0, 0:3) they also remained goalless.

Wück then demanded: "She has to convert her quantity into quality. The frequency with which she goes into one-on-one situations and gets through, and with which she gets deals, is great: Now we still need the right decision." Moments like those in Lisbon and Frankfurt demonstrate this step in development. And what Barcala likes to emphasize: “How humble she is!”

The 78-time international player is undoubtedly the most valuable German player. If her advisor Jörg Neblung had had her way, Bühl would have made use of her exit clause this summer. But she wanted to make one more attempt at FC Bayern to win the premier class. Now the evidence is overwhelming that the league's most defining face will be lost next summer. Basically, their farewell tour is underway, because there will probably be no more negotiations with Bayern about a contract extension.

Bühl recently said on ZDF that there was no deadline: "Everything is still open. I can imagine everything. I feel very, very comfortable in Munich." But staying is unrealistic. FC Barcelona wanted to sign her in 2025, but then backed out due to financial restrictions.

Therefore, the top English clubs from abroad are likely to outdo each other with salary offers, because the player with the third-highest market value in the world (1.65 million euros according to the Soccerdonna portal) is available for free after the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Klara Bühl will be spoiled for choice, but desires have long been her everyday companion.