Reds fall to Gladbach at the death

FC Bayern fell 2-1 to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday afternoon. Bayern were dominant and created a number of chances in the first half but failed to reward themselves. Ivan Perišić put them ahead after half-time, but Gladbach's Ramy Bensebaini levelled the scores on the hour and converted a penalty in the closing stages.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Leon Goretzka, Thiago and Corentin Tolisso featured in midfield, with Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller out wide and striker Robert Lewandowski up front. Tolisso had to be replaced with a knock to his thigh midway through the first half, Ivan Perišić coming on and taking Müller's position, with the latter moving deeper. Javi Martínez took over from Boateng in the second half.

String of chances

The 54,022 full house in Mönchengladbach saw Bayern dominate proceedings in a scrappy and occasionally niggly first quarter-hour. Müller miscued from close range before Lewandowski curled an effort wide. The Poland captain soon got hold of a Thiago free-kick but his volley went wide.

Bayern imposed their play against the increasingly reeling home side. Müller drew a strong save from Gladbach keeper Yann Sommer before Kimmich almost beat Sommer, but the ball did not completely cross the line. Lewandowski, Perišić and Goretzka fired over the bar, and the contest was goalless at half-time despite Bayern's utter dominance.

Perišić opens but Gladbach wake up

The German record champions went straight back onto the front foot, Sommer proving equal to a Davies shot. Bayern finally took the lead when Müller set up Perišić, who spun and fired into the top corner of the net via Sommer's fingertips. But the Foals got a grip now, creating a couple of half-chances before Bensebaini headed past Neuer from a corner.

It was an evenly-matched affair now, Gladbach's Jonas Hofmann seeing a header go wide. Lars Stindl fired wide before Sommer beat Lewandowski to the ball at the other end. The day turned sour when Martínez upended Marcus Thuram in the box with the full-time whistle imminent, seeing a red card, with Bensebaini converting the ensuing penalty.

The result means Bayern have 24 points from 14 matches, seven short of leaders Gladbach. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday, when they entertain Tottenham in the Champions League before taking on Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga next Saturday.

Live match report for fcbayern.comby Greg Salmen