Gladbach 1-1 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial reactions and observations

• Julian Nagelsmann keeps searching for a win as Bayern Munich coach. The draw against Gladbach may be a little bit unlucky, but the performance was far from reassuring.
• Borussia Monchengladbach are truly Bayern’s bogey team. Pep, Jupp, and Hansi all struggled against them and now Nagelsmann has a taste of that medicine. Tough game to start the season with.
• Alphonso Davies dominated the second half and set the tempo for Bayern all game. He was electric in a match where he wasn’t even supposed to play the full 90 — let’s hope he rests up before the Supercup.
• Josip Stanisic had a good debut with some small lowlights. He’s clearly still new to this level of play and it’ll take some getting used to, but the game intelligence is there.
• While Sane picked up a bit in the second half, Serge Gnabry was truly terrible. Musiala should’ve come on earlier.

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FT: Gladbach draw Bayern 1-1.

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81’ — Controversial call as Gladbach are denied a penalty when it looked like Upamecano brought down Thuram in the box.

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74’ — Looks like Nagelsmann wants new wingers. Musiala and Coman on for Gnabry and Sane.

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65’ — No goals so far this half but the game has really heated up.

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45’ — The second half is underway! Can Bayern take all three points from this?

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Halftime observations and analysis

• Bayern Munich were far from confident in this half. A shaky start to the Nagelsmann era has been barely salvaged by a Lewandowski goal. We need more.
• Alphonso Davies has been very isolated attacking down the left. He needs more support or else Gladbach will keep double or triple-teaming him for easy dispossessions.
• Thomas Muller not very involved in the game so far. Not a great sign for the Nags era.
• Sane and Gnabry have picked up where they left off last season.
• Just meh overall. Let’s hope it’s just opening game jitters from the team.

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HT: 1-1.

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42’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 1-1 on a corner!

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9’ — Goal. Gladbach go 1-0 from Plea. Poor defending by Bayern, but it was coming.

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Kickoff: We’re underway!

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One hour until kickoff: What kind of a lineup is that? Alphonso Davie starts, with Stanisic probably at CB and Gnabry on the wing. Surprising to see Nianzou not playing.

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The Bundesliga is FINALLY back! Bayern Munich once again start things off with a Friday night fixture against Borussia Monchengladbach, with both teams boasting brand new coaches compared to last season.

Julian Nagelsmann and Adi Hutter have already crossed paths with each other in preseason, with the Foals beating the Bavarians 2-0 However, that was a game without the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich, and the rest of Bayern’s Euro 2020 contingent.

This time, the Bayern coach can field a much stronger XI against his opponent, but it’s still not an ideal situation. Benjamin Pavard is injured and Alphonso Davies might not be fully fit, forcing Nagelsmann to rely on backup options at fullback. How will the new coach deal with his first competitive game?

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Borussia Park. Gladbach, Germany

Time: 8:30 pm local time, 2:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

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