Eintracht Frankfurt Women must win in France to reach the Champions League group stage after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their qualifying tie.
Manager Niko Arnautis saw his team put in a strong second half performance at the Stadion am Brentanobad on Wednesday, but they could not find a winning goal.
Larissa Mühlhaus gave the home side a dream start when she won the ball on the edge of the penalty area and finished coolly in the fourth minute.
The lead lasted only three minutes before Naomie Feller equalised for the visitors to dampen the early enthusiasm.
End to end first half
The game developed into an even contest before Paris started to dominate after the 30 minute mark. Merveille Kanjinga missed two good chances for the French side, while Laura Freigang spurned Frankfurt's best opportunity in the 27th minute.
Frankfurt were fortunate to escape conceding a penalty when Mühlhaus caught an opponent with an elbow shortly afterwards.
After suffering heartbreak in qualifying in each of the last two years, the German side emerged for the second half with renewed determination and almost took the lead in bizarre circumstances.
Double post agony
Frankfurt were denied a second goal in the 49th minute by an astonishing piece of bad luck. A flowing counter attack ended with the ball at the feet of Hanna Bennison, who struck a direct shot. The ball hit the right post, rolled across the goal line, struck the left post and spun back into play.
The home team took control of the game from that point, pushing Paris back into their own half. However, they lacked precision in the final third and struggled to create clear chances.
Freigang had appeals for a penalty waved away following a heavy challenge in the 61st minute, but the referee ruled it a fair tackle.
Ereleta Memeti provided the most eye catching moment of the closing stages with a solo run down the right wing, beating several defenders, but she was unable to find a finish.
The draw leaves the tie delicately poised ahead of the second leg, which takes place in the French capital next Wednesday at 18:30.
