Bayern Munich clinch a narrow 2-1 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bayern Munich continue to take massive strides towards the Bundesliga. They clinched their tenth successive win in the league on Saturday against Borussia Monchengladbach, courtesy of goals from Leon Goretzka and Joshua Zirkzee. Benjamin Pavard scored into his net during the game.
Hansi Flick was forced to make numerous changes to the starting XI that featured against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller were suspended for this game. Mickael Cuisance got his first start for Die Roten in the league, slotting in number ten role. Ivan Perisic replaced Kingsley Coman on the left flank. Alphonso Davies was also rested to make way for Lucas Hernandez.
Borussia Monchengladbach were without Alassane Plea due to accumulation of yellow cards in the Bundesliga. Marco Rose decided to pack the midfield to compensate Plea’s absence, giving Christoph Kramer a rare start in the center of the park.
The two sides started the game in a sluggish manner as fatigue is clearly visible in Bundesliga teams now. Gladbach came close to open the scoring in the 16th minute after a super pass for Jonas Hoffman in the final third. He slotted the ball past Neuer, but the goal was later ruled out as he was marginally offside.
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Die Roten had half chances here and there. The first big chance for hosts fell for Hernandez, as his ferocious shot in the box was saved brilliantly by Yann Sommer. At the other end, Breel Embolo had the chance of opening the scoring, but his header from close range by Manuel Neuer.
Sommer committed a serious mistake in the 26th minute by passing it straight to Zirkzee at the edge of the box. The Dutch forward made no mistake to put the ball into the empty net. Gladbach continued to show good intensity while going ahead despite trailing in the game. They were eventually awarded in 37th minute as Patrick Herrmann‘s cross was deflected into the goal by Benjamin Pavard. Both sites were not separated at half time.
Both teams struggled to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half. Half chances fell for Die Roten, but they struggled to create a clear cut opening until 66th minute when Gnabry’s volley was brilliantly saved by Sommer.
The home side looked a threat from set-pieces, but Gladbach defended resolutely whenever Kimmich delivered dangerous crosses. Rose’s men dropped deep and looked content with one point in such circumstances, offering next to nothing in the final third. Meanwhile, the absence of Muller hindered Die Roten from creating clear cut chances in the final third.
Bayern needed that moment of brilliance in the final third as they were struggling to create chances. That moment arrived late in the game as Goretzka slotted the ball after a terrific cross from Pavard. Die Roten saw out the rest of the game to continue their long winning run in the Bundesliga as they need only one win to clinch the title.
"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerPavard-Boateng-Alaba-HernandezKimmich-CuisanceGnabry-Goretzka-PerisicZirkzeeSubstitutes: Ulreich, Odriozola, Martinez (↓Perisic (88′)), Davies (↓Hernandez (61′)), Singh, Coman (↓Cuisance (61′)), Batista-Meier, Wriedt (↓Zirkzee (77′)), MusialaBorussia Monchengladbach (4-2-3-1)SommerLainer- Ginter-Elvedi-BensebainiKramer-NeuhausHerrmann-Stindl-HofmannThuramSubstitutes: Sippel, Traore, Benes (↓Embolo (80′)) , Jantschke(↓Elvedi(46′)) , Doucoure, Quizera, Wendt (↓Hermann (70′)), Embolo (↓ Thuram(10′)), Musel"