Reds held in thrilling restart

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga restart on Friday evening. Gladbach were dominant in the first quarter-hour, Alassane Pléa handing the Foals an early lead, but Bayern bounced back, Lewandowski levelling the scores before half-time. The second half was as entertaining as the first one, but with no further goals to come, Bayern and Gladbach shared the spoils.

The Bavarians lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Niklas Süle and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry, with target man Lewandowski up front. Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala, Bouna Sarr and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting took over from Sané, Gnabry, Stanišić and Müller in the second half.

Reds bounce back after early setback

Once referee Marco Fritz whistled play underway, Gladbach went straight onto the front foot. Herrmann fired just wide from 20 yards before he squared to Stindl, but Kimmich made a crucial interception. Lewandowski set up Gnabry at the other end, the Germany international miscuing, but the linesman's flag was raised in any case. The Foals took the lead when Bayern lost possession in midfield, Pléa beating Neuer to crown Gladbach's fine interplay.

Bayern got a grip after the opener, Lewandowski drawing two saves from keeper Sommer. Munich slowly but surely strangled the home side with possession, Stanišić seeing two efforts saved, but Lewandowski scored a more than deserved equaliser before half-time, firing home from a Kimmich corner.

No way past Sommer

Sané was denied by Sommer before the former's cross found Lewandowski, who saw his header saved. Lainer headed wide at the other end, the strong Sommer saving from Davies and Lewandowski, but Neuer too shone when he turned Stindl's low shot around the post.

A Lainer cross only just evaded Thuram, Gladbach enjoying a spell in command now. Coman fired well wide in the frantic closing stages before the Frenchman cut back to the onrushing Kimmich, who miscued his effort, and Fritz blew for full-time.

Bayern will be back in action on Tuesday, when they take on Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen