Dominant Bayern held by Gladbach

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, dropping points for the first time this campaign despite an impressive performance. Bayern had two goals chalked off for offside, and Marcus Thuram handed his side the lead against the run of play before half-time. Munich had several big chances after half-time but only Leroy Sané managed to beat inspired goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernández and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Marcel Sabitzer anchored midfield, with Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman Sadio Mané and Sané up front. Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry and Matthijs de Ligt came on for Sabitzer, Mané and Sané in the second half.

Trailing despite dominance

The 75,000 full house at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern hit the ground running, and not even 60 seconds had been played when an Upamecano header forced a strong save from Sommer. Kimmich saw an effort saved and a free-kick flashed a free-kick across goal. Coman soon shone with a mazy solo run but aimed wide. Sané fired over and had another shot thwarted by a last-ditch block.

Munich soon had the ball in the back of the net, Mané tucking in a Müller cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Bayern had a second chalked off when a deflected Sané shot invited Mané to beat Sommer, but the latter was in an offside position. A shock came when Upamecano missed a clearance, Thuram racing clear and slotting past Neuer.

Late leveller

Proceedings were similar in the second half, Sommer denying Müller and Sané seeing a shot blocked before Sommer made two outstanding close-range stops against the African Player of the Year. The Foals had a their captain to thank again for preserving the lead after further chances for Sané, Gnabry, Müller and Musiala, with Kimmich hitting the post as Bayern laid siege to the Gladbach goal.

It took fine play in a tight space by Musiala to overcome Sommer, the youngster setting up Sané, who smashed into the bottom corner of the net. Sommer denied Gnabry and Davies before Neuer made a save against Thuram at the other end. De Ligt saw a powerful drive parried as he went up front. In the end, a combination of offside flags, the woodwork and Gladbach's keeper meant Bayern were held to a draw.

The Bavarians will be back in action next Wednesday when they travel to face Viktoria Köln in the DFB Cup. The result means they have ten points from four matches, topping the table on goal difference ahead of Union Berlin, whom they will face in their next Bundesliga match on Saturday.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen