05.12.2009

Borussia go down 2-1 in Munich

A set piece ultimately proved Borussia's downfall in a 2-1 defeat at Bayern Munich on Friday evening after defender Roel Brouwers had drawn them level in the first half.

Borussia surrendered territorial advantage early on, retreating deep inside their own half, but apart from a shooting opportunity for Germany striker Mario Gomes in the fourth minute that was followed by another effort six minutes later, their backline stood firm. Building from a strong defence, Michael Frontzeck's men came more into the game and registered their first attempt on goal after 13 minutes, Thorben Marx taking aim from 25 metres and unleashing a shot that was gathered by Bayern goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt. Marx was in the thick of things again 60 seconds later and it took a foul by Mark van Bommel to stop him. Juan Arango rifled the resulting free-kick towards the Bayern goal from 15 metres in from the right touchline, but Butt was alert once again, and it was not to be the last time the two would cross swords. Borussia threatened again in the 16th minute when a long upfield ball sparked a race between Karim Matmour and Martin Demichelis that the Argentina international won with the use of an outstretched arm. Referee Michael Weiner hesitated for a moment, but then waved play on.

No sooner had Borussia got their attacking game going than they found themselves 1-0 down on 19 minutes. Once again it was Gomez with the shot, and this time he hit the target with an unstoppable shot into the bottom right-hand corner. Anyone who thought Borussia would be stunned by the goal was to be proved way off the mark. Less than four minutes later, Rob Friend found himself clear in front of goal after a superb pass from Arango, but once again the Bayern custodian came out on top. Arango and Butt were again involved in the next chance on 27 when the Borussia midfielder forced the former Leverkusen stopper into a truly brilliant save with a shot from 20 metres. Despite having an unobstructed view, Butt had tremendous difficulty judging the flight of the new World Cup ball and just about managed to tip it round the post for a corner. Sixty seconds later Borussia grabbed the equaliser their play more than warranted. After collecting a pass from Friend, Michael Bradley knocked an outstanding pass between two Bayern defenders straight to Roel Brouwers, who slotted the ball home with aplomb. It was the Dutchman's fourth goal of the season, the first with his foot.

In the ensuing period the Foals continued to fashion the more promising chances, the best of which fell to Friend five minutes before the interval, but his effort from the edge of the box was saved by the Bayern keeper. On the stroke of half-time Arango tested Butt yet again, the seventh Borussia shot he was forced to defuse. And so Bayern could count themselves slightly fortunate to go in 1-1 at the break.

Roared on by the large travelling contingent, Borussia again began brightly. And despite allowing the home side to push forward, they did not come under any great pressure as Bayern lacked the ideas to trouble the compact Borussia rearguard. Substitute Arjen Robben was the first to threaten within a minute of coming on when he skipped past three Borussia defenders on the right-hand side, but his final ball found no takers. Most of the action was in midfield as Bayern continued to enjoy more of the possession without creating any clear-cut chances, with Borussia content to wait for an opportunity to break. But with 75 minutes gone Bayern restored their lead from a set piece. After a foul on Robben by Dante, Holger Badstuber positioned the ball where he wanted it before hammering the free-kick into the far corner midway in from the right-hand touchline, the eighth time Borussia have conceded in the final quarter of an hour this season. Frontzeck responded by introducing another attacking player in Raul Bobadilla for Bradley. But leaving aside an Arango effort on 53, Borussia had to wait until the 83rd minute before creating their first decent goalscoring opportunity of the half. Tobias Levels flighted a ball onto the head of Dante, only for referee Weiner to spot an infringement.

Bayern Munich: Butt - Lahm, Van Buyten (Breno 72'), Demichelis, Badstuber - Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger - Müller, Pranjic (Tymoshchuk 79') - Gomez, Olic (Robben 58')

Borussia: Bailly – Levels, Brouwers, Dante, Jaurès – Bradley (Bobadilla 79'), Marx – Reus, Arango – Matmour (Neuville 87'), Friend

Goals: 1-0 Gomez (19'), 1-1 Brouwers (28'), 2-1 Badstuber (75')

Yellow cards: Bradley, Levels - Van Bommel, Tymoshchuk, Gomez

Attendance: 69,000 (sold out)

Referee: Michael Weiner