Gladbach 3-2 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• With this loss, Union Berlin seem poised to overtake Bayern Munich in the table this week. Makes next weekend’s clash an absolute nail-biter, the Bundesliga could be on the line.
• Strange stat: Bayern Munich have not won vs Gladbach since Hansi Flick was in charge, a 6-0 win at the Allianz Arena in May 2021. They didn’t take that loss well.
• Two assists for Alphonso Davies today, solid performance from him. Hopefully he can use this as a springboard to get more goal contributions in the future.
• Another goal for Mathys Tel in his debut Bundesliga season. It came too late to influence the outcome, but it could help his confidence.
• It’s a shame that, given Bayern lost anyway, Musiala, Sane, and Cancelo couldn’t get a game of rest. Missed opportunities everywhere.

Full time: Borussia Monchengladbach 3-2 Bayern Munich.

90’+2’ — GOOOOOAL! Mathys Tel makes it two! Can Bayern get back in?

84’ — Goal. Marcus Thuram makes it 3-1.

55’ — Goal. Jonas Hofmann makes it 2-1, another mountain to climb.

45’ — The second half is underway! Serge Gnabry and Ryan Gravenberch come off for Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala.

Halftime: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Bayern Munich.

35’ — GOOOOOOOAL! Choupo-Moting makes it 1-1! Alphonso Davies assist.

32’ — Another counter, this time Pavard catches up and manages to tackle Plea before he could shoot.

23’ — Lars Stindl fires wide on a counter. Bayern got carved open there.

13’ — Goal. Lars Stindl fires home. Wow.

8’ — RED CARD! The referee sends off Dayot Upamecano! It was a last man foul on Plea. Oh no.

Kickoff: We’re underway!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! So Julian Nagelsmann has decided to rest some of the players who started against PSG, which means that Daley Blind gets his debut for Bayern Munich this week vs Gladbach. Thomas Muller and Alphonso Davies return to the lineup at the expense of Jamal Musiala and Joao Cancelo. Overall, it still looks like a back three.

It’s time to move from a big game to a deceptively tricky game. While Borussia Monchengladbach have a squad that costs less than Mbappe, they have a far better chance of hurting Bayern Munich than PSG did in midweek. Whatever voodoo spell they possess that lets them do that is a mystery, and it remains to be seen whether Sommer’s move to Munich has done anything to even the odds.

Julian Nagelsmann will be without Kinglsey Coman in this game, a big blow considering the Frenchman’s current form. Meanwhile Joshua Kimmich returns from his one game suspension and is likely to take the captain’s armband and dictate things from the heart of the midfield. Joining him will probably be a full complement of talented players — the likes of Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Alphonso Davies, and more. Bayern outclass Gladbach at every single position on the pitch, it’s simply time to make that difference count.

It’s Bayern time.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our Weekend Warm-up podcast? Listen to it below or on Spotify.

Match Info

Location: Borussia park, Gladbach, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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