Football League
Bayern despair of Gladbach goalkeeper Sommer and are lucky in controversial penalty scenes
Robert Lewandowski pulls away, Matthias Ginter tries to fend off the ball
© Federico Gambarini / DPA
Two controversial decisions at the end and numerous missed chances: Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Bayern have separated after a high-class game 1:1.
An outstanding Yann Sommer stole Julian Nagelsmann’s debut victory as coach of FC Bayern. At the 1: 1 (1: 1) of the defending champion at the fear opponent Borussia Mönchengladbach for the partly spectacular opening of the 59th Bundesliga season on Friday, the record champion remained unbeaten in the first game of the season for the tenth year in a row. In front of 22,925 enthusiastic spectators in the Borussia Park, which was sold out under corona conditions, Alassane Plea (10th minute) scored for the Gladbacher with their new coach Adi Hütter and world footballer Robert Lewandowski (42nd) for the Bavarians.
The fact that Munich did not win again in Gladbach after two defeats was mainly due to the outstanding summer. The Swiss national goalkeeper drove the Bayern attackers, declared “offensive monsters” by Nagelsmann, to desperation with his parades.
Gladbach starts strong
Driven by the returning fans, the Gladbacher set off strongly. Against the visibly still unsorted Bayern with newly formed defense, the hosts were initially game-defining. = = References = = = = External links = = Bundesliga game had only narrowly missed the goal of national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (3.), Borussia took advantage of a mistake by Alphonso Davies ice cold. Captain Lars Stindl forwarded the ball quickly into the top on Plea, who made the spectators cheer loudly with his hit.
The fans caused goosebumps atmosphere in the first floodlight game in front of spectators after more than a year of corona frustration. The new national coach Hansi Flick also sat in the stands. Louder than many a sold-out Borussia match in the past, the supporters celebrated their teams and themselves.
Nagelsmann, on the other hand, was clearly frustrated after Pleas early goal. The new Bayer had to do without two potential regulars in defensive Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernández, so that Josip Stanisic from the regional league squad got the chance on the big stage. With Niklas Süle, newcomer Dayot Upamecano and Davies, the 21 – year-old formed the-at the beginning-shaky four-team.
Bayern let dominance flash briefly
“We don’t know exactly where we stand, but the players are experienced enough to deal with such a situation,” said the new Bayern board Oliver Kahn before the kick-off at Sat.1 said. One of the most experienced, Germany’s footballer of the year Lewandowski, tested Sommer shortly after the gap (14th) and in the 26th minute. On the second attempt, when Sommer only got his foot in the shot with a little luck, Nagelsmann clenched both hands above his head.
In this phase, the Munich team flashed the dominance of the previous season and got better with persistent slight errors. Even against Stanisic, who switched on offensive again and again, Sommer had to save (37.). Against the direct acceptance of Lewandowski after a corner by Joshua Kimmich, the Swiss was then powerless. The Pole, who scored 41 goals last season, was successful for the seventh time in a row on the first matchday. Record expanded.
The Gladbacher, who had scored the most points against Bayern in the last ten years of all Bundesliga teams (27), had to cope with this mood damper in the break. The good record of the last four won first-round duels wobbled properly. The Hütter, who came from Eintracht Frankfurt, who had already won with the Hessians against the Bavarians, had to do without a total of five professionals on Friday night.
Summer keeps Gladbach in the game
Bayern built up more pressure with increasing playing time. Over the flanks, which in the meantime also Thomas Müller occupied from time to time, the record champion Lewandowski searched in the middle. The Hütter eleven from the Lower Rhine, however, lost the momentum of the first half hour a little. With fast, direct play, it was possible to outwit the Bayern defense less often. Hütter repeatedly sent his team forward with loud instructions.
To the chagrin of Hütter and the Gladbach fans, however, the focus was always on Summer, who parried strongly against Davies (58th) and Lewandowski (60th) and kept his team in the game. Hütter reacted and brought Jonas Hofmann for Herrmann and Marcus Thuram for Plea (64.). The game became more open again. Stindl tested Neuer after quick ball conquest (70.), Thuram missed a good input only by centimeters (77.).
