FC Bayern Munich has also won its third Bundesliga game of the current season, but had a surprisingly difficult time beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 (0-1). The strong Leroy Sané (58th) and substitute Mathys Tel (87th) scored for Munich, Ko Itakura (30th) had given Gladbach the lead with a nice header.
Bayern, for the first time this season with Thomas Müller in the starting XI, showed a playfully weak performance, attacker Harry Kane hardly appeared. Gladbach, who had a disappointing start to the season, defended compactly and were dangerous in standard situations, but crept deep into their own half after taking the lead.
Gladbach dangerous with standards
After an uneventful initial phase, Gladbach’s Marvin Friedrich got the game moving. In the 26th minute, the central defender headed a free-kick cross from the penalty spot onto the crossbar. Just four minutes later, a corner kick from the right: Alassane Plea crossed, Wöber extended and Itakura climbed up the far post to head the ball. The precise shot flew into the top right of the net for Sven Ulreich.
Bayern initially seemed impressed and could hardly get through the Gladbach defensive line. They got their first big chance in the 39th minute: Müller passed Sané, who put himself in a shooting position with a strong attack. Gladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas deflected the ball with a strong reflex to the crossbar.
Nicolas represents Omlin in the Gladbacher Tor
Nicolas replaced first-choice goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, who is in danger of being out for a long time with a shoulder injury. The 25-year-old has been under contract with Mönchengladbach since 2015, but has always been loaned out in recent years and made his debut for Borussia in the Bundesliga. He seems to have prevailed in the fight for the role of the first substitute goalkeeper against veteran Tobias Sippel (35) and talent Jan Olschowsky (21) and convinced with several strong saves.
Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka once again formed the double six for Bayern after the transfer of defensive specialist Joao Palhinha fell through at the last moment on Friday. “I was very sad because I knew how much the player wanted to join us and I know what that player would have given us,” said Bayern coach Tuchel on Sky.
Kimmich cracks the bulwark
Munich didn’t lack defensive stability against Mönchengladbach, but they did lack ideas in the offensive game. In the second half, Tuchel brought on Konrad Laimer for right-back Noussair Mazraoui. The Gladbacher retreated deep into their own half and let the opponent run.
Finally it was Kimmich who cracked the bulwark. With a chip ball over the defence, he served Sané, who didn’t fully catch the ball on his finish, but still scored to equalize.
Gnabry misses a big chance
Afterwards, Mönchengladbach limited themselves to defending, Bayern ran in non-stop. Serge Gnabry should have taken the lead in the 70th minute, but he headed to goalkeeper Nicolas from four yards out shortly after his substitution.
In the 81st minute, Tuchel drew his last offensive joker, bringing Tel for Goretzka. A few minutes later, after a Kimmich corner, he headed in from the right to win. After just under an hour, Mönchengladbach were no longer able to boost the offensive game with almost exclusively defensive work.
Bayern opens next match day against Bayer, Gladbach in Darmstadt
FC Bayern meet the Werkself on the upcoming Bundesliga matchday (Friday, September 15, 2023 at 8.30 p.m.). The foals are challenged at SV Darmstadt two days later (5:30 p.m.).