Reds fall to ruthless Gladbach

FC Bayern fell 3-2 to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday evening. Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot before Leon Goretzka doubled the lead, but Jonas Hofmann's brace meant the scores were level at half-time. The day turned sour when Florian Neuhaus handed the home side the lead shortly after the restart. Bayern upped the ante in the final 30 minutes but another goal refused to come, and the Reds suffered their first defeat in 2021.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Süle, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Douglas Dosta, with Lewandowski as sole striker. Kingsley Coman took over from Costa with 20 minutes to go.

Scorching first half

The sides felt each other out for the first quarter-hour, Neuer beating the charging Breel Embolo to a through-ball. Bayern dominated possession and were awarded a penalty for handball after 20 minutes, Lewandowski expertly dispatching from 12 yards. Goretzka doubled the advantage when he blasted home from 25 yards following a one-two with Sané.

The Rhineland outfit got a grip now and pressed higher. Matthias Ginter saw an effort saved before Hofmann raced clear and slotted past Neuer. Hofmann rounded off his brace to level the scores shortly before half-time, latching on to another through-ball to beat Neuer.

No reward

Yet another setback came shortly after half-time, Hofmann inviting Neuhaus to crash home from 20 yards. Gladbach were buoyed by their lead, Stindl firing over the bar. But Bayern went looking for an equaliser now, and Kimmich and Lewandowski miscued their efforts before Sané and Coman saw shots blocked.

Bayern forced a string of corners as the game entered its final 20 minutes, but there was no way through against Gladbach's packed defence. Süle saw another effort blocked, Neuer beating Patrick Herrmann to a pass at the other end. A Müller shot was deflected wide before Süle beat keeper Yann Sommer, only for Matthias Ginter to clear off the line, and match official Harm Osmers blew for full-time.

The result means Bayern have 33 points from 15 matches. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to face Holstein Kiel in the DFB Cup.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen