Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Saturday night.
Bayern Munich were in red hot form coming into this game, and they will be far from pleased with the result. The German champions had scored 15 goals in three league games prior to Saturday’s outing, and most would have expected them to blow Gladbach away with their attacking pedigree.
The likes of Sadio Mane and Serge Gnabry were in impeccable form for the home side, but Gladbach had no plans to roll over for the defending champions. Yann Sommer produced one of the most spectacular shot-stopping displays to deny Bayern a comprehensive home win. The 33-year-old Swiss international was at his best as he thwarted numerous Bayern efforts away from the visitors’ goal.
Meanwhile, Marcus Thuram silenced the home fans with a well-taken goal right at the stroke of half-time. With Gladbach leading 1-0 after 43 minutes, Bayern would have felt that they were punished completely against the run of play. The home side continued to charge forward only to be denied by an inspired showing from Sommer.
Eventually, the hosts found a breakthrough in the 83rd minute when Leroy Sane found the back of the net for his side. Bayern remain on top of the table despite the draw, level on points with Union Berlin (10 points from four matches). Meanwhile, Gladbach are sixth in the table, two points behind their opponents.
The points are shared ?
?⚪ #FCBBMG 1-1 (FT) pic.twitter.com/wKKtElYDRH
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) August 27, 2022
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
The Bayern Munich captain did not have a lot to do with Gladbach struggling for possession. Neuer was untested for most of the game and will be disappointed with the goal he conceded because of a fault of his teammate.
Benjamin Pavard: 7/10
Pavard was the pick of the defenders for sure. Pavard drove his team forward time and again and created a few chances for his teammates with his intelligent passing in the final third. He picked out the likes of Muller with glorious passes in the final third, but Sommer looked unbeatable for most of the game.
Dayot Upamecano: 5/10
Few would have expected him to start ahead of Matthijs de Ligt against Gladbach. The Frenchman recently returned from his injury and was responsible for the only goal Bayern conceded on the night. He diverted a clearance from Christoph Kramer onto the path of Marcus Thuram, who finished coolly.
Lucas Hernandez: 6/10
Hernandez had a mediocre game by his standards. He lost possession of the ball a few times and tried to create chances for his side from the deep by launching the ball forward. Bayern’s control over the game ensured that Hernandez was n0t put under too much pressure at the back.
Alphonso Davies: 7/10
Davies tried to drive the side forward with his darting runs and dribbling. However, he was far from his usual efficient self. He barely created any chances for his teammates. The defender was not tested too many times either.
Joshua Kimmich: 7.5/10
Joshua Kimmich: "I had the feeling we played a very good game today. The goal we conceded came from a mistake, which is obviously annoying. We had everything under control. Our performance today was almost better than in the previous games." [Sky] pic.twitter.com/pAVr15ZP0e
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 27, 2022
The pick of the midfielders for Bayern. Kimmich kept things neat and tidy in the middle. He won possession back for his side and recycled the ball efficiently. Managed to the hit the woodwork.
Marcel Sabitzer: 6.5/10
Supported his partner Kimmich well, but it was an unremarkable display overall.
Leroy Sane: 9/10
The German international started the game and rewarded his manager with a vital goal late on in the second half. Sane swept in a cross from Musiala to break the deadlock and end Sommer’s resolve on the night.
Team deserved more today. Awesome support from the fans! @fcbayern pic.twitter.com/FhfnAo8pPQ
— Leroy Sané (@leroy_sane) August 27, 2022
Kingsley Coman: 7/10
Coman created chances for his teammates with his link-up play and dribbling in the final third.
Sadio Mane: 6/10
The Senegalese international has been brilliant since joining the club, but he endured a frustrating evening with his new club. Gladbach did well to contain him, and Mane barely had an impact in the final third. He had a goal ruled out for offside.
Thomas Muller: 6.5/10
Muller had an eventful game. The German international created a few chances for his teammates and came close to scoring himself. However, he was denied by Yann Sommer more often than not.
SUBSTITUTES
Matthijs de Ligt: N/A
The Dutchman was brought in as a striker with five minutes left, to add some aerial prowess and physicality to the Bayern attack when the team was chasing the game. De Ligt is undoubtedly the best header of the ball at the club, but Julian Nagelsmann’s gamble did not pay off. Fortunately for him, Sane was there to score the all-important goal.
Serge Gnabry: 6/10
Gnabry came on in the 68th minute and barely had the opportunity to impact the game as much as he would have liked. Given his form, he would have expected to start against Gladbach.
Jamal Musiala: 7/10
The youngster was brought in to make a difference in the attack, and he did just that. Musiala managed to create the chance that led to Bayern Munich’s only goal of the game. The substitute put on a tidy performance apart from his assist.
