Borussia open 2022 with victory in Munich

The first Bundesliga game of the new year saw Borussia Mönchengladbach claim an important three points in Munich, coming from behind to beat FC Bayern 2-1.

Empty stands were the backdrop in the Allianz Arena for the Bundesliga restart following the winter break. Fans would have been treated to an intriguing first half too. The hosts controlled the opening proceedings and eventually took the lead through Robert Lewandowski after 18 minutes. Borussia showed a reaction though and got their equaliser when Florian Neuhaus capitalised on Joshua Kimmich’s miscued clearance (27’), before a Stefan Lainer header from a corner just turned the game on its head in the space of four minutes (31’). Bayern probed for a way back into the match after the break, but some resolute defending from the Foals ensured they were able to return to Mönchengladbach with three points.

TEAM NEWS

Adi Hütter’s first starting XI of 2022 saw Yann Sommer in goal behind a back-three of Matthias Ginter, Tony Jantschke and Nico Elvedi. Stefan Lainer and Luca Netz took up right and left wing-back roles respectively, with Christoph Kramer and Manu Koné partnering up in midfield. Florian Neuhaus, Lars Stindl and Breel Embolo lined up in a front-three.

Borussia were without Jonas Hofmann (knee), Ramy Bensebaini (AFCON), Joe Scally, Denis Zakaria, Keanan Bennetts and Mamadou Doucouré (all Covid-19 positive).

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

9’: A first warning shot from Bayern. Gnabry’s effort has plenty of firepower, but Sommer is able to get two strong hands behind it and parry the ball away.

14’: The ball drops to Lewandowski on the edge of the box and he tries to nutmeg Sommer, but the Gladbach keeper manages to get a leg in the way.

18’: The hosts take the lead. Lewandowski turns past Elvedi with his first touch just inside the box and thunders a shot inside the near post. 1-0 to Bayern.

27’: Borussia are level! Lainer whips a ball into the centre that Embolo can’t quite take advantage of, but Kimmich’s clearance falls to Neuhaus, who volleys past Ulreich. 1-1.

31’: Turnaround complete! Netz’s corner is delivered to the near post where Lainer flicks it into the far corner out of the goalkeeper’s reach. 2-1 to Gladbach.

43’: A huge chance for the Foals as Neuhaus is in 1v1 with Ulreich, but he can’t quite squeeze the ball past him. It wouldn’t have counted anyway though, as the ball caught his hand in the build-up.

45’: Borussia come close again. Kramer plays in Embolo and he looks for the near post a la Lewandowski’s goal, but Ulreich is able to react in time and tip the ball over.

45+1’: That was a close one. Lewandowski has Sommer beaten from a tight angle, only for the ball to bounce away off the far post. Müller hits the rebound on the volley and it’s hooked off the line by an alert Ginter.

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

56’: A series of quick passes sees the ball land at Musiala’s feet, and he manages to get off a shot from the edge of the box. Sommer is able to push the ball over the bar with a fingertip save though.

58’: The hosts continue to press. Müller slides to get onto the end of a cross from Lewandowski, but Sommer is there to make the save.

60’: Müller sends a header towards the far post, but Kimmich isn’t quick enough to get on the end of what could have been the equaliser.

62’: Lewandowski attempts to chip the ball over Elvedi, but our no. 30 is able to deflect it up and over the bar.

78’: Lots of space inside the box for Lewandowski, but Sommer is easily able to parry his shot.

84’: Borussia have a chance to put the game to bed through Plea. Stindl does well to find his teammate, but Plea is unable to get a shot off immediately as Süle has time to make the block.

MATCH FACTS

FC Bayern: Ulreich – Kimmich, Pavard, Süle, Sabitzer – Roca (75’ Wanner), Musiala, Gnabry, Müller, Tillman (75’ Copado) – Lewandowski

Borussia: Sommer – Ginter, Elvedi, Jantschke (67’ Beyer) – Lainer (79’ Herrmann), Netz – Kramer (79’ Bénes), Koné –Stindl (90’ Thuram), Neuhaus (67’ Plea) – Embolo / Unused subs: Sippel, Wolf, Noß, Müsel

Goals: 1-0 Lewandowski (18’), 1-1 Neuhaus (27’), 1-2 Lainer (31’)

Attendance: 0

Yellow cards: Stindl

Referee: Daniel Siebert (Berlin)

Manu Koné returned to the starting line-up following his suspension at the end of 2021
Florian Neuhaus volleys in the equaliser
Stefan Lainer is becoming known for his near-post headers

07.01.2022