Trembling victory after transfer bankruptcy
FC Bayern prevented the next blow to the neck very late
09/02/2023 8:29 p.m
FC Bayern is experiencing a bitter final sprint on the transfer market. And a few hours after the transfer window closes, the first sporting setback of the Bundesliga season threatens: the record champions fall behind against Borussia Mönchengladbach, but in the end it is enough to win.
With great difficulty, FC Bayern Munich averted another setback at feared opponents Borussia Mönchengladbach. A late goal from Mathys Tel (87th minute) gave the record champions their third win in three games in a 2-1 (0-1) win in the Bundesliga classic. This was achieved through a show of strength in the second half against passionately fighting Borussia, who had taken the lead through Ko Itakura (30th minute). Leroy Sané (58th) and substitute Tel turned the game around after the break and made Bayern’s first win in over four years at Borussia Park perfect.
In view of the personnel developments of both teams, it was not expected that the record champions would initially have problems again on the Lower Rhine. Where Borussia had often played unleashed against Bayern in recent years, Gladbach was under pressure early on this time. After the departure of long-time top performers Lars Stindl, Jonas Hofmann, Ramy Bensebaini and Marcus Thuram, the loss of quality in the game is unmistakable.
But unlike last week’s 0:3 against Leverkusen, Borussia coach Gerardo Seoane saw a passionately defending and fighting Gladbach team this time, which Bayern found hard to beat for a long time. Mega-star Kane remained largely ineffective, and world champion Thomas Müller’s nomination for the starting eleven for the first time this season had hardly any effect. The 33-year-old was substituted again in the 69th minute. The offensive on Saturday was too unimaginative and harmless. After the end of the transfer period, the defensive was identified as a weak point for Bayern.
Tuchel is “very sad” about bankruptcy
Before the game on Sky, Thomas Tuchel was “very sad” that the planned commitment of defensive midfielder João Palhinha from Fulham FC had failed. “He’s thinner than before. It’s a little thin, a little less,” was the coach’s general assessment of the Bayern squad, who had also given up five defenders but only signed three.
Palhinha’s intended commitment for a rumored 50 million euros fell through on the last day of the transfer period. According to media reports, the midfielder had already stayed in Munich and completed the medical check-up. “He would have liked to put someone in the cross for his midfielders Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer to help them develop their full offensive potential,” explained Tuchel about the search for a new six.
The problem on Saturday, however, was rather the lack of penetrating power in attack. The passionate Borussia were only dangerous with set pieces. Marvin Friedrich headed the ball against the crossbar after a free kick (25′). Five minutes later, Itakura also headed Borussia ahead from a corner.
Bayern’s fear of their feared opponent was palpable afterwards. Bayern only had their first real chance to score in the 39th minute when Sané shot the crossbar. It was also the national player who equalized for Bayern after the break and overcame Gladbach’s reserve goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas for the first time. The 25-year-old was only making his second appearance in the Bundesliga as regular keeper and captain Jonas Omlin is currently out with a shoulder injury. Again and again Nicolas was the center of attention in the second round against angry Bayern attacking and partially parried brilliantly. It was telling that Bayern’s winning goal came from a corner.