Bayern turn attention to Atalanta after 4-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach

Even seven changes to the team and the absence of Harry Kane failed to knock Bayern off their stride in their pursuit of the Bundesliga title. As the club marked the milestone of 75,000 members in its KIDS CLUB, the team on the pitch ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday night. It took the league leaders 14 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who don’t play until Saturday evening. The game also produced a landmark moment as Maycon Cardozo became the first player from the club’s World Squad youth programme to play for the senior team. “I think we did a very commanding job on the whole today,” said Leon Goretzka of the result as the team now turn their attentions to Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg away at Atalanta.

Only four players remain

It took a little bit of time for Bayern’s attacking machine to warm up, especially after wholesale changes, with only Dayot Upamecano, Konrad Laimer, Joshua Kimmich and Luis Díaz remaining from last week’s win in Dortmund. The seven new faces mean Vincent Kompany has made a league-leading 93 changes to his starting line-ups this season. It’s a fact that the head coach and his backroom staff are relaxed about as they make full use of the squad. “It’s games like this that help me find my rhythm,” Jamal Musiala explained of just his third start since his horrible injury at last summer’s Club World Cup.

The Allianz Arena crowd was on its collective feet after just 10 minutes when Goretzka, who was particularly creative all game, played in Lennart Karl to finish inside the box, but the youngster was offside. The visitors defended with discipline but were unable to create any pressure going forward. As for the Bayern players who hadn’t played much lately, you could sense their motivation. It produced moments like striker Nicolas Jackson fighting for the ball by his own corner flag, Musiala producing sliding tackles deep inside his own half and the entire team pressing as a unit to force Gladbach deeper and deeper. “The guys did a great job today. I’m very happy,” Kompany enthused afterwards.

33 minutes to take the lead

However, it took just over half an hour to finally take the lead when Goretzka once again played the ball into the box with a delicate chip, that Díaz volleyed home on the run. Borussia had defended resolutely until that point, allowing Bayern the ball. Over 40 percent of the play had been inside the visitors’ defensive third. But they had no response to Goretzka and Díaz’s combination play. “The pass from Leon was excellent,” Musiala said afterwards of the ball that ended the midfielder’s 41-game run without an assist in the Bundesliga. As for Díaz, he joined Deniz Undav on 14 goals in second place in the Bundesliga’s scoring chart behind Kane, who was missing his first game of the season.

Bayern doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time as they hit Gladbach on the counter. Jackson first fed Díaz, who squared for Laimer to finish. It was the Austrian’s third goal of the league campaign – a personal best in Bayern colours – and the Colombian’s 11th assist. Only Michael Olise(16) has more provisions in the Bundesliga this term, but he was rested on the bench as Kompany also looked ahead to the midweek trip to Bergamo. “Keeping calm in that situation, squaring the ball – that’s individual class from Bayern,” said Gladbach coach Eugen Polanski. “Our plan was actually to remain compact, allow them very little, get stuck into the duels, not allow them any space,” explained defender Nico Elvedi. 

Nervous Kane

Potential nerves were visible on the face of Kane, watching the game from a box inside the Allianz Arena, only when referee Robert Schröder awarded Bayern a penalty and sent off Rocco Reitz. It was the 11th spot-kick given to the Bavarians this Bundesliga campaign but the first without the England captain on the pitch. Instead it was Musiala who took the responsibility and scored his first league goal since 4 April 2025. It was also the first Bundesliga penalty and only the second of his senior career after his finish in the Club World Cup against Auckland City. “We had a quick chat and then decided I’d take. Thankfully it went in. I felt good today and wanted to take it,” the goalscorer explained.

Resistance broken

Down to 10 men and three goals behind, Gladbach’s resistance was broken in the second half. “It was over then,” Polanski admitted. Kompany opted to use the comfortable lead to make a raft of chances, including the introduction of Cardozo to complete a footballing fairy tale. The 19-year-old David Santos was later brought on as well. He’s the seventh teenager Bayern have used in the Bundesliga this term, which is more than ever before in a top-flight campaign.

The Bavarians continued to control proceedings late into the game, even grabbing a fourth when Karl set up Jackson for his fourth goal of the campaign and first since Matchday 12. The Senegal international also received particular praise afterwards. “I’m really happy for Jacko. But it’s nothing special. It’s what he’s always done and he did it again today. It’s good for us and good for Bayern,” Kompany enthused.

Musiala takes the armband

To cap a special evening, Musiala was later given the captain’s armband as Kimmich made way, having earlier taken it from Manuel Neuer after he went off at half-time. “To get to captain such a big club makes me very proud,” the 23-year-old beamed. However, Bayern did concede a goal on his watch as a lapse in concentration at a late free-kick allowed Wael Mohya to get a consolation and make history as the first 17-year-old to score a Bundesliga goal for Gladbach.

“The set piece and conceding is something we need to work on. It annoys us all as a team,” Jonas Urbig said. “We’ll prepare well for Atalanta in the coming days and then head to Bergamo with great desire,” the goalkeeper added.

Upamecano, who found a teammate with all 61 of his passes, was also quick to look ahead. “We’re expecting a tough game in Bergamo on Tuesday, but we want to win there and are ready for it,” the defender said. Max Eberl turned attentions to the Champions League game as well: “We played in a serious manner and even ended up with a young team on the pitch at the end. We can expect a very intense game in Bergamo. Atalanta have a clear structure, pace in behind and are physically present. It’ll be a big job for us.”

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