Below-par Reds fall to ruthless Gladbach

FC Bayern lost their match away to Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 on Saturday evening. Thorgan Hazard converted a penalty before Matthias Ginter doubled Gladbach's lead in the first half. Arturo Vidal pulled one back midway through the second half, but Bayern's attacks were ultimately a little uninspired, and poor fortune played a part too as Robert Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman hit the woodwork.

Bayern started with Sven Ulreich in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels and Juan Bernat in a back four. Vidal, Javi Martínez and Sebastian Rudy took up station in midfield, with Corentin Tolisso, Lewandowski and James featuring in Bayern's attacking trident.

Heynckes made four changes to the XI that saw off Anderlecht. Arjen Robben and Thiago, who sustained injuries against Anderlecht, gave way to James and Martínez, with Hummels and Bernat replacing Jérôme Boateng and Marco Friedl. Bernat sustained an injury before half-time, fit-again Kingsley Coman taking over. Friedl replaced James at the break, Kwasi Okyere Wriedt coming on for Rudy after the hour mark.

Woodwork for Lewy, two goals for Gladbach

The 54,018 capacity crowd at Borussia Park saw a battle of wits that was short on chances at first, Bayern running up in vain against the rock of Gladbach's defence, the Foals parking the bus at times but proving dangerous on the break. The first chance fell to the home side after Bayern gifted possession away, Raffael miscuing his finish with only Ulreich to beat.

James skied a ball before Rudy tested netminder Yann Sommer from distance as Bayern enjoyed a spell in command, but the home side's positional play and discipline were excellent. The day turned sour for FCB when Borussia were awarded a penalty for handball, Thorgan Hazard proving a cool customer from the spot.

The Reds almost replied a few minutes later, Lewandowski shining with a brilliant first touch in the box before coming up with a cunning back-heel only to be denied by the post. Lady Luck once more favoured the Foals when a Lars Stindl effort somehow found Matthias Ginter with the help of a deflection, inviting him to tap in before match official Manuel Gräfe blew for half-time.

Arturo's belter not enough

Proceedings were similar after the restart. Bayern were in the driving seat but their attacks proved largely uninspired. Tolisso spotted Lewandowski in the box and played a perceptive ball before the hour mark, a last-ditch scramble spoiling the chance. Borussia's Jannik Vestergaard almost scored an own-goal following a corner, the ball going inches wide. Sommer proved equal to a Hummels header before Coman hit the post via the netminder's fingertips.

Bayern finally had the ball in the back of the net with 20 minutes to go, Vidal's furious belter beating Sommer. The goal was symptomatic as it came from a set-piece, Gladbach clearing a free-kick, Vidal pouncing on the rebound from 25 yards.

The closing stages were a furious affair, Lewandowski testing Sommer before a deflected Coman effort went over the bar, Gladbach's Drmic spoiling a gilt-edged chance on the break with a miscued finish before Bayern failed to make the most of a mix-up in the Foals' box, and Gräfe blew for full-time.

The result means Bayern have 29 points from 13 matches, three clear of RB Leipzig. The Reds are back in action next Saturday, when they entertain Hannover in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen