At the start of the new year, leaders Bayern Munich made a long run at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Harry Kane finally broke the spell in the away win. With his penalty goal (68th), the striker secured a 1-0 (0-0) win for the “Fohlen”.
This means that Bayern Munich maintains its lead of four points at the top of the table over defending champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen. “As expected, it wasn’t easy“, admitted Bayern coach Vincent Kompany. Mönchengladbach, who did not have a shot on goal in the game, had to admit defeat again in December after three games without defeat and slipped to a double-digit place in the table.
“In some places we perhaps should have been bolder” said Borussia’s Rocco Reitz after the game on the Sportschau microphone and still said: “I think we can take some positive things against the ball with us.“
Ulli Schäfer, Sportschau, January 11, 2025 8:49 p.m
Bayern’s best chances are not enough at first
The league leaders from Munich controlled the encounter from the start. In the opening quarter of an hour, FC Bayern had over 80 percent possession of the ball, but didn’t really pose a threat towards the goal. That lasted until the 19th minute, when the very active Thomas Müller won the ball with a clever tackle on the outside line and crossed it inwards. There he jumped at Leon Goretzka’s feet, but he aimed just wide from seven meters.
A little later Müller (23rd) had the opportunity to take the lead himself. But Borussia goalkeeper Nicholas prevented the deficit from falling behind with a world-class save against Müller’s shot from point-blank range and an energetic follow-up. Gladbach fought courageously for the goal and only caused a stir in front of their own goal once before the break, when Rocco Reitz put his hands in front of his face to protect himself when Julian Weigl broke free from the penalty area and deflected the ball.
But referee Felix Zwayer spared Gladbach a penalty despite energetic Bayern protests. The score was 8-0 for Bayern – but the score was 0-0 at the break. And in the real tactical line-up, all players except Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer – who in the first half on the heat map was mainly in the middle of his own half instead of in his own goal – were in the Borussia half.
Tim Kleindienst heads over it
At the start of the second half, Mönchengladbach thawed out more in inhospitable conditions. The first attempt at a shot on goal could have given the team the lead, but Tim Kleindienst misjudged the timing of the header and put the ball over the goal in a free attempt from five meters.
The game became more open and Gladbacher became a little more self-confident until the blow came when Michael Olise beat two men in the penalty area and Lukas Ullrich hit the Munich player in the leg while trying to clear the ball. Penalty. Kane didn’t miss the chance and converted his first shot on goal of the game down the right to give Munich the lead.
Leryo Sané and Serge Gnabry miss out Preliminary decision
Shortly afterwards, Leroy Sané had it (71′). could have made the decision, but the birthday boy missed the empty goal with a shot from 17 meters and was then substituted after an overall mixed performance. Serge Gnabry came on for the now 29-year-old, but shortly afterwards he also aimed past the far post after a fine pass from Kingsley Coman from the left of the penalty area (79′).
The Munich lead remained thin, so Kleindienst’s next header following a corner could have equalized. But the national player also missed this attempt. Since the Munich team missed the best counterattack opportunities in the final minutes, the victory was narrow, but it was well deserved, so that the Munich team can start the English week relaxed.
Gladbach in Wolfsburg, Bavaria against Hoffenheim
There they will receive TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Wednesday (January 15, 2025, 8:30 p.m.). The Gladbachers have to go to VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday evening (8.30 p.m.).