The Bundesliga title race is significantly tilting towards Bayern Munich with every passing week. After beating their main title rivals, Borussia Dortmund, at Signal Iduna Park last weekend, Bayern extended their lead to 14 points with a comfortable 4-1 win against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Vincent Kompany made several key changes to the starting XI with one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League game against Atalanta. Jamal Musiala and Lennart Karl started in the attack behind Nicolas Jackson. Leon Goretzka replaced Aleksandar Pavlovic in the center of the park. Kim Min-jae and Tom Bischof started in central defense and left-back, respectively.
Surprisingly, the visitors started the game well, dominating possession in the first 10 minutes. The Bavarian club eventually gained control of the game and started dictating the tempo. They didn’t create chances at will, but slowly pinned down Gladbach’s team in their half.
After dominating possession for the next 20 minutes, Bayern eventually got the breakthrough around the 33rd minute. A sweeping move saw Leon Goretzka play a clever chip pass to find Luis Diaz’s run in the box. The Colombian made terrific contact and hammered the ball into the net to score his 20th goal of the season.
The first goal further dented the fragile confidence of Gladbach. They had a spell of possession before the half-time whistle, but Die Roten hardly looked troubled. The hosts rounded off a productive half with another goal. Jackson found Diaz on the left flank as Bayern countered swiftly. The Colombian found Laimer on the right side of the box. The Austrian hammered the ball past the goalkeeper to double Bayern’s lead.
Second half was a procession for Bayern
After taking a comfortable 2-0 lead into the half-time break, Bayern didn’t take its foot off the pedal in the second half. The first 10 minutes saw Kompany’s men dominate possession and create a couple of half-chances.
Die Roten’s perseverance paid off in the 55th minute as Jackson won a penalty. It was a double whammy for Gladbach as Rocco Reitz was sent off for fouling Jackson. Jamal Musiala successfully converted the penalty and put the game beyond the visitors.
Courtesy of the 3-0 lead, Kompany had the luxury to bring off senior players at the hour mark. Despite a change of personnel, Bayern looked potent in the attack. Having the advantage of an extra man on the pitch made things much easier for Die Roten. The Belgian coach also handed a debut to highly rated youngster Maycon Cordozo.
Jackson rounded off a good evening by getting on the scoresheet in the 79th minute. Lennart Karl delivered a perfect cross from the left flank after a brilliant bit of wing play. Jackson was in the right place in front of the goal to guide the ball into the net.
Gladbach got a consolation goal in the 89th minute through Wael Mohya after a lapse in concentration at the back for Bayern. The only blemish on Friday’s win was Bayern’s inability to keep clean sheets.
Nevertheless, Kompany and the Bavarian faithful will be pleased with the performance against Gladbach. The Bavarian club has built good momentum in performances ahead of the Champions League round of clash against Atalanta.