62% possession, 18 shots to Gladbach's 7, and yet Bayern were still beaten 2-1 on Saturday away at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The men from Munich were particularly on top in the first half, dominating the hosts and spurning several good chances. "We gave a lot in the game and were clearly the better team for long spells," reflected Manuel Neuer.
Munich goals elusive
Despite the possession and shots, there was one problem standing in Bayern's way: the ball just wouldn't go in. Thomas Müller (8') was unable to turn in Corentin Tolisso's shot from close range. Robert Lewandowski (15') curled just wide from 12 yards, before Yann Sommer somehow managed to claw Joshua Kimmich's shot out just before the ball crossed the line (27').
"We played really well in the first half, but we weren't able to make it count," Kimmich explained. Just after half-time Ivan Perišić finally put the away side in front for a deserved 1-0 lead. Yet after this moment, Bayern began to lose their grip on the match. "We stopped playing football," analysed Hansi Flick. "We weren't so dominant after that," Neuer noted.
Ivan Perišić scored on the turn to give Bayern a deserved lead.
Borussia comeback
Gladbach grew gradually into the game, playing better and better after conceding the goal, and Bayern weren't able to create sustained pressure. "After the equaliser Gladbach showed why they are top of the league, that they have serious strengths on the pitch," Flick said. The Foals were back on level terms after Rami Bensebaini converted from a corner (60'), before he doubled his and his team's tally from the penalty spot in stoppage time at the end of the game (90+2'). The penalty came about after a Javi Martínez foul on Marcus Thuram, the former given his marching orders, sent off for a second yellow card.
And so Bayern were left to rue a great performance that delivered no reward. "Of course it's frustrating that we weren't able to capitalise on our chances, and it meant Gladbach were still in the game late on. That's the reality, we need to put the game to bed earlier," a visibly annoyed Flick remarked, drawing parallels with last week, when his Bayern side succumbed to defeat against Leverkusen despite dominating. "We don't do much wrong, but it's costing us games," Neuer said.
The goal not yet out of sight
The gap between the leaders Gladbach (on 31 points) increased to seven points. A sight that Bayern aren't happy with, but have to accept. "We have to look forward and keep going," said the captain, refusing to admit defeat. As well as the last fixture of the Champions League group stage, a Wednesday match against Tottenham, there are three more games in the league before the winter break. "We have to pick up points, and we'll do that in the next few games," Müller said, in fighting spirit. "The style of play is good. For us now we have to go and win the next three games."
As if the 2-1 defeat in the Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach wasn't frustrating enough, Hansi Flick was forced to make two changes mid-game with Tolisso and Boateng forced off with injury. 👇
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