Fans ignore Eberl this time
©IMAGO
FC Bayern Munich has secured the autumn championship early in the winter from their feared opponents Borussia Mönchengladbach. In the arduous 1-0 (0-0) without the sick top star Jamal Musiala, the hoped-for statement in the title duel with double winner Bayer Leverkusen failed to materialize.
A penalty goal from goalgetter Harry Kane (68th minute) was necessary to defeat the old rival in the Bundesliga classic. It was the 15th goal of the season for the Bundesliga’s top scorer. The record champions thus maintained their four-point lead over Leverkusen before the 17th matchday next week. Only in three of the 26 cases so far did FC Bayern not become German champions after the autumn championship: 1971, 1993 and 2012.
In recent years, Bayern have repeatedly suffered bitter defeats in Gladbach. Without the sick offensive artist Musiala, the Munich team were, as expected, clearly superior on the field before the break, but had far too little speed and esprit in the game. The Borussians withdrew far back with a compact three-man formation in the defensive midfield consisting of captain Julian Weigl, bundle of energy Rocco Reitz and the unfortunate Philipp Sander. The new signing from Kiel came into the Gladbach starting line-up in place of Franck Honorat, who was absent at short notice.
Without the Frenchman’s feared crosses, the game largely went past national striker Tim Kleindienst. Manuel Neuer, who was back in the Bayern goal for the first time since the cup exit against Bayer Leverkusen on December 3 after recovering from a rib injury, was not tested at all. The Gladbachers didn’t get a single shot on the visitors’ goal in the first half.
Defensively, Borussia were compact against Bayern, who had been unimaginative for a long time. Only twice did they need either luck – when Leon Goretzka missed a shot next to the goal (18th) – or the skills of keeper Moritz Nicolas against Thomas Müller (23rd). Kleindienst missed his great chance to take the lead immediately after the break when he headed over the goal from close range. In general, after the change, the Gladbachers played more offensively and became more courageous in a game that was now wilder.
However, Bayern retained control of the game without creating any compelling scoring opportunities. A clumsy tackle by Lukas Ullrich in his own penalty area against Michael Olise finally gave Kane the opportunity to at least score from the spot. The captain of the English national team gratefully accepted this. The Munich team then routinely downplayed their victory.
Gladbach fans ignore Eberl this time
Bayern sports director Max Eberl, who had worked as a professional and official in the Lower Rhine for 23 years, also experienced a quiet return. Unlike his appearance with his former employer RB Leipzig in Gladbach, the Borussia fans ignored the former Gladbach maker this time. “It’s a very special game, I would be lying if it were different. “I’m also a bit excited, but I’m extremely happy,” Eberl said on “Sky” before the game. Almost three years ago he left Borussia citing his health and mental exhaustion and offended the club and fans at the time.