Bavarian Football Works - Bayern Munich kick off the Bundesliga restart with 2-0 win over Borussia MönchengladbachManufacturing goals in the German tradition, for domestic consumption and for export.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47275/bavarian-fave.png2014-01-25T04:48:21+01:00http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/rss/stream/51046932014-01-25T04:48:21+01:002014-01-25T04:48:21+01:00Borussia M'gladbach 0-2 Bayern München: Review
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<figcaption>Lars Baron</figcaption>
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<p>Pep Guardiola's men did not really have to get out of second gear as they overcame Lucien Favre's talented Gladbach side, 0-2.</p> <p>The first game following the winter break is always interesting and this one was no different. Borussia Mönchengladbach had been in good form prior to the winter break and was expected to provide, however small, some degree of trouble to Bayern. Favre made one change to the side which started on Match-day 17; he played Alvaro Dominguez at the back to cover for the absences of Roel Brouwers and Tony Jantschke.</p>
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<p><span>Pep Guardiola</span> threw in a surprise by playing <span>Mario Götze</span> up front as a "falsche neun". This move seemed to work as Götze caused the first problem for Gladbach in the sixth minute as he overcame the defender who was on his case with a clever little flick and shot; the ball however hit the post. When Thomas M<span class="player"><span class="player-link ">ü</span></span>ller set him up again in the seventh minute, he made no mistake and converted brilliantly.</p>
<p>Bayern continued to cause Gladbach problems. Marc Andre Ter Stegen kept out two equally wonderful long range attempts from Rafinha and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110268/toni-kroos">Toni Kroos</a> respectively. Juan Arango provided the only bright light for Gladbach with his first half attempts. The half sort of lulled into the final five minutes with Bayern building around the patient Gladbach defense steadily and attempting to increase their lead. The final five minutes saw some action which set the tone for the second half as Gladbach came at Bayern.</p>
<p>Max Kruse was denied at first under the watchful eyes of Manchester United coach <span>David Moyes</span>, Germany head coach Joachim Löw and the universally admired Gladbach legend Jupp Heynckes. His attempt ended up setting up a counter attack for Bayern which M<span class="player"><span class="player-link ">ü</span></span>ller almost completed.</p>
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<p>In the second half, Bayern seemed a bit hungrier as they looked to add to their lead. M<span class="player"><span class="player-link ">ü</span></span>ller, Shaqiri, Thiago and Kroos all tried their luck but could not add a much needed second. However, the successive attempts in and around the penalty area eventually led to a handball by Granit Xhaka. M<span class="player"><span class="player-link ">ü</span></span>ller converted the resulting penalty in style to score the final goal of the match in the 53rd minute. The action was not over though.</p>
<p>Max Kruse and Patrick Hermann could not make up the most of their opportunities before the hour mark. Two misses after the hour mark by Hermann though will linger in the memory. His first saw him control the ball well and get his shot past <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110254/manuel-neuer">Manuel Neuer</a> only for the far post to deny him. A wonderfully set up move which showcased all that is awesome about Favre's side saw Hermann end up in the penalty area unmarked with the goal at his mercy after 65 minutes of action. Rafael found him perfectly too only for Hermann to shoot waywardly away from goal.</p>
<p>Branimir Hrgota came on for Hermann and immediately got into the midst of the action but ultimately, the game fizzled out, with <span>Claudio Pizarro</span> having one final attempt before the match drew to a close.</p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/1/25/5343602/borussia-monchengladbach-0-2-bayern-munchen-reviewTwinkle2014-01-24T22:44:52+01:002014-01-24T22:44:52+01:00'Gladbach 0-2 FC Bayern | Instant Analysis
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<figcaption>Dennis Grombkowski</figcaption>
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<p>The Rekordmeister stamp on to its title defense after a long layoff, widening the gap to 10 points in the league</p> <p>Ahhhhhh. Fußball ist zurück!</p>
<p>FC Bayern reopened its league title defense with a 2-0 win against Borussia Mönchengaldbach in Borussia-Park. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110278/thomas-muller" class="sbn-auto-link">Thomas Müller</a> was involved in both scores, which increased 'Gladbach home goal concessions by 28.6 percent.</p>
<p>Rafinha feeds a ball through to Thomas Müller, who Oscar Wendt played onside. Müller crosses the ball to <span>Mario Götze</span> who splits Martin Stranzl and Alvaro Dominguez and shoots it to the right of Marc-André ter Stegen. A handball from Granit Xhaka caused Patrick Gagelmann to point to the spot, and Müller doubled the advantage for the Bavarians.</p>
<p>Here are some thoughts throughout the match, the 42 consecutive unbeaten one for the Rekordmeisters:</p>
<ul>
<li>Mönchengladbach was out manned once, when Müller stayed onside and crossed the ball to Götze who finished far post with loads of space. After that, Christoph Kramer and Granit Xhaka sat deeper to assist their defense, which made service from the wider areas harder to come by. Consequently, 'Gladbach conceded the center of the park, allowing Dante and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110259/jerome-boateng" class="sbn-auto-link">Jérôme Boateng</a> to sit beyond the mid-line, which meant the only real chances the <i>Fohlen</i> created was on a rush forward. <br>
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<li>Max Kruse and Raffael could not figure out a way to get into the areas they work best, which meant Mönchengladbach could not get as much of an attack forward to try to get back in the match. Kruse was able to challenge Neuer with some bursts forward, but the passing in the final third from the <i>Fohlen</i> was not good enough for him to do so consistently. Raffael was largely invisible, with only 44 touches throughout the match, although he was still able to link up the play well enough to create some very dangerous chances.<br>
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<li>The defense sure looks different when <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110262/philipp-lahm" class="sbn-auto-link">Philipp Lahm</a> is playing the holding midfield role than when anyone else does. He not only commanded the midfield with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110268/toni-kroos" class="sbn-auto-link">Toni Kroos</a> and <span>Thiago Alcântara</span>, but also acted as a plug between Dante and Boatrng. Perhaps Bastian Schweinsteiger is the only other player that has the defensive intelligence and the passing ability to play that role. Thus, until number 31 comes back, Lahm will continue to play in midfield with Kroos and Thiago playing front of him more times than not.</li>
<li>The great thing about a flexible front is the amount of space it can open up for players with a strong shooting touch. With 'gladbach allowing the space, players like <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> and Thiago took more of an initiative to have a go, even if it was 25 meters away from goal. A lot of those firecrackers required acrobatic saves from ter Stegen, who had a tremendous day between the pipes. Against a side not as solid at the back, like Hamburger SV or Manchester United, that ability could be a great asset to have.</li>
<li>Seeing Manchester United manager <span>David Moyes</span> in the stands was an interesting prospect, considering Dante was linked to a moved to his side earlier this week. Maybe it was not the 28-year-old that the Scottish gaffer was eying, but his presence was nonetheless curious. He may just merely be looking at one of his potential Champions League competitors, but considering the transfer window is open for seven more days, that seems less likely.</li>
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<p><a href="http://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/1/24/5342462/mario-mandzukic-bayern-munich-away-monchengladbach-withheld-poor-performance?utm_source=bavarianfootballworks&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">The new Mario Mandžukić saga</a> is worth a follow, considering he was not named to the team sheet for alleged passive practicing. Add to the fact that Franz Beckenbauer <a href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9131924/">does not think the forward will fit</a> and that makes the situation even more juicy.</p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/1/24/5342348/bayern-munich-borussia-moenchengladbach-bundesliga-2014-instant-analysis-statisticsDavis VanOpdorp2014-01-24T21:43:52+01:002014-01-24T21:43:52+01:00Mario Mandzukic held out of Bayern 18
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<figcaption>Alexander Hassenstein</figcaption>
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<p>Matthias Sammer says Mario Mandzukic was withheld from the Bundesliga restart due to poor training performance</p> <p>This is certainly not the story Bayern Munich fans were expecting upon the restart of the Bundesliga. Mere weeks after Bayern Munich signed Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer and Matthias Sammer made it clear that Mario Mandzukic was an important piece in this squad moving forward, the Croatian international was left out of the Bayern Munich 18 man roster in their match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.</p>
<p>It was cause for immediate concern given the rampant injury accumulation that has marked this squad's season but that was soon replaced by much more worrying concerns:</p>
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<p>big news from Gladbach is that Mandzukic didn't make the squad, despite not being injured. Pep unhappy with his performances in training</p>
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/honigstein/statuses/426789277381308416">January 24, 2014</a>
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<p>It was shocking news given that mere weeks ago Matthias Sammer publicly stated that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/15/germany/2014/01/07/4526852/mandzukic-must-accept-lewandowski-competition-says-sammer">Mario Mandzukic is a key player for Bayern Munich</a> but that he like every other player on the squad will face stiff competition for playing time. It certainly doesn't jive with the expectations of how Mandzukic should have responded. Especially when Matthias Sammer publicly went on Sky Sports moments before the game, confirmed the story, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DerBayernBlog/status/426792852388343808">then stated</a> "We are Bayern Munich. We have the highest standards. Mario has not trained well. Therefore, he is not in the squad".</p>
<p>Given that transfer rumors focusing on the 27-year-old have been spinning for weeks now, this was probably the most inopportune time for this and the most opportune time for some parts of the media. It's an even more inopportune time with the English media breathing down the neck of the match and David Moyes in the audience at Borussia Park. If you were hoping for a quiet end to the transfer window, you can probably kiss those chances goodbye.</p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/1/24/5342462/mario-mandzukic-bayern-munich-away-monchengladbach-withheld-poor-performanceRyan Cowper2014-01-24T19:32:13+01:002014-01-24T19:32:13+01:00Bayern vs. 'Gladbach | Gamethread
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<figcaption>Alex Grimm</figcaption>
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<p>THE RETURN OF THE 2013/2014 BUNDESLIGA WILL BE LEGENDARY!</p> <p><b>Location:</b> Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany</p>
<p><b>Referee:</b> Peter Gagelmann</p>
<p id="paragraph10" class="pgh-paragraph"><b>Television and Streaming</b><br><b>USA:</b> GolTV<br><b>Canada:</b> GolTV<br><b>United Kingdown:</b> BT Sport 2<br><b>Germany:</b> Sky Bundesliga, ARD<br><a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/822007/borussia-mgladbach-vs-bayern-m-nchen/" target="_blank">Other Countries</a></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">Remember that if you're at work and can't watch, this game is available on radio on <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://tunein.com/radio/Borussia-Monchengladbach-v-Bayern-Munich-Jan-24-2014-p574856/" target="_blank">TuneIn on your PC</a> or via the TuneIn app on your mobile in English.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph"><i>Lineups</i></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph"><a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">FC Bayern München</a> (4-1-4-1)</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Müller</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Shaqiri – Kroos – Alcantara – Götze</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Lahm</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Alaba – Dante – Boateng – Rafinha</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Neuer</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph"><i>Substitutes</i>: Starke, Contento, Sallahi, Robbe, Weiser, Hojbjerg, Pizarro</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph"><b>Borussia Mönchengladbach</b> (4-4-2)</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Kruse - Raffael</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Arango – Xhaka – Kramer – Herrmann</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">Wendt – Dominquez – Stranzl – Korb</p>
<p align="center" class="pgh-paragraph">ter Stegen</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph"><i>Substitutes</i>: Heimeroth, Daems, Nordtveit, Rupp, Younes, Luuk de Jong, Hrgota</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph">MIA SAN MIA!</p>
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https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/1/24/5341700/bundesliga-matchday-18-bayern-munich-vsRyan Cowper2014-01-23T14:01:00+01:002014-01-23T14:01:00+01:00Matchday 18: 'Gladbach vs. FC Bayern | Preview
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<figcaption>Lennart Preiss</figcaption>
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<p>With recent history in favor of the <em>Fohlen</em>, the <em>Rekordmeister</em> have no room for complacency in kicking off the <em>Rückrunde</em></p> <p>While the conclusion of FC Bayern München's 18th <i>Herbstmeisterschaft</i> as only a month ago, the month of no German football dragged on like a boat with an anchor dragging along the ocean floor.</p>
<p>Fear not, matey! The Bundesliga is back!</p>
<p>FC Bayern now have to take out the fly swatter and swat away the rest of the competition. Of the 18 <i>Herbstmeisterschaften</i> the Bavarians have won, only three times have they not gone on to win the whole thing. One of the teams that prevented them from winning? Borussia Mönchengladbach.</p>
<p>Currently in third, the <i>Fohlen</i> have the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the first time since 1978. They are one of the youngest clubs in the top tiers in Germany with an average age of 25.6, but that has not stopped them from being tied with the third best goal differential in the Bundesliga.</p>
<p>Now the season will restart the way it began, with two of Germany's most storied franchises trying to get off on the right foot.</p>
<h4>The Match (99th meeting)</h4>
<p><b>Location:</b> Borussia Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany</p>
<p><b>Referee</b><br><b>Head:</b> Peter Gagelmann<br>FC Bayern: 13 W, 3 D, 3 L – 17 YC, 1 Y/R, 0 RC</p>
<p><b>Assistants:</b> Matthias Anklam, Thomas Gorniak<br><b>Fourth Official:</b> Bibiana Steinhaus</p>
<p><span class="wtb-ew-v1">
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<p><b>Television and Streaming</b><br><b>USA:</b> GolTV USA<br><b>UK:</b> BT Sport 2<br><b>Germany:</b> Sky Bundesliga 1/2 | HD, Sky Go, Liga Total, Liga Total Mobile TV<br><a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/822007/borussia-mgladbach-vs-bayern-m-nchen/">Other Countries</a></p>
<h4>The Fixture</h4>
<h5>Form</h5>
<p><b>'Gladbach:</b> DDWWW<br><b>FC Bayern:</b> WWWWL</p>
<h5>Meetings in 2013/14</h5>
<p>W, 3-1 (FCB: Robben 12', Mandžukić 16', Alaba P 69' / BMG: Dante OG 40')</p>
<h5>Records</h5>
<p><b>Bundesliga:</b> 44 W, 27 D, 20 L<br><b>DFB Pokal:</b> 6 W, 1 D, 0 L</p>
<h5>Top Scorers</h5>
<p>1. Gerhard "Gerd" Müller, FCB – 14<br>2. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, FCB – 11<br>3. Josef "Jupp" Heynckes, BMG – 9<br>4. Dieter Hoeneß, FCB – 8<br>5. Roland Wohlfarth, FCB – 7</p>
<p><b>Biggest Victory:</b> 7-1 (March 24, 1979, Munich, Germany)<br><b>Biggest Defeat:</b> 0-5 (May 18, 1974, Mönchengladbach, Germany)</p>
<h4>The Squad</h4>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110278/thomas-muller">Thomas Müller</a> addressed FC Bayern's complacency in comments <i><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fsport%2Ffussball%2Fbundesliga%2Ffc-bayern-muenchen%2Farticle124124771%2FBayern-Muenchen-kaempft-gegen-die-Kuschelstimmung.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bavarianfootballworks.com%2F2014%2F1%2F23%2F5335936%2Fbayern-munich-borussia-moenchengladbach-bundesliga-2014-preview-lineups-television" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Die Welt</a></i> caught: "Maybe we let ourselves lull." That may be the case, but not in crunch time. When the occasion arises, the Reds usually rise to it. FC Bayern has scored multiple goals against two of the four clubs beneath it, the exceptions being VfL Wolfsburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen which encased a Champions League meeting with Manchester City. The Bavarians only loss in major competition came in a meaningless match.</p>
<p>Friday's recommencement against Mönchengladbach is such a match. Manager Pep Guardiola still does not have his full complement yet, but his team will be prepared nonetheless.</p>
<p>Whether Franck Ribéry will take the pitch at Borussia Park is still the only thing up in the air, as <a href="http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/bayern-muenchen/ribery-wackelt-robben-nur-auf-der-bank-34356602.bild.html">he has been dealing with a back injury</a>. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110495/arjen-robben">Arjen Robben</a> <a href="http://www.fcbayern.de/en/news/news/2014/news-in-brief-220114.php">returned to team training</a> on Wednesday, although a bench role is more likely suited for the recently-turned-30 as he admitted he's "not 100 percent." After missing the last two days of training with knee inflamation, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110271/bastian-schweinsteiger">Bastian Schweinsteiger</a> would be a team sheet shocker, as would Daniel van Buyten, who is still in rehab training with muscle problems.</p>
<p>With van Buyten out, that leaves <span>Javier Martínez</span> and <span>Diego Contento</span> as the only other options at center back. Guardiola tinkered with a back three in every friendly match, and while some results were not ideal, the possibility remains legitimate for him to switch his squad into a midfield-packed set. That could be good news for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who has been the consistent contributor in front of a back three during the trial runs.</p>
<p>Finally, Müller and <span>Mario Götze</span> may seem the assumed choices on the wings, but do not be shocked if <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span>, who has played as an impactful winger in all three of FC Bayern's friendlies.</p>
<p>With a midweek match, the team selection might not be the best XI, but it will be a strong one regardless.</p>
<p><i>UPDATE [10:45 AM EST]</i> – Javier Matínez has been ruled out of the match with foot problems, according to <i><a href="http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/598348/artikel_schweinsteiger-fehlt---und-ribery.html">kicker</a></i> and <a href="http://www.tz.de/sport/fc-bayern/sorge-schweinsteiger-pep-das-problem-ihn-meta-3328564.html">tz-online</a>. That means the team sheet will likely contain two pure center backs, and both will be starting.<a href="http://www.tz.de/sport/fc-bayern/sorge-schweinsteiger-pep-das-problem-ihn-meta-3328564.html"><br></a></p>
<p><i>Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1)</i></p>
<p align="center"><span>Mandžukić</span></p>
<p align="center">Götze – <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110268/toni-kroos">Kroos</a> – <span>Thiago</span> – Müller</p>
<p align="center"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110262/philipp-lahm">Lahm</a></p>
<p align="center"><span>Alaba</span> – Dante – <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110259/jerome-boateng">Boateng</a> – Rafinha</p>
<p align="center"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110254/manuel-neuer">Neuer</a></p>
<p><i>Bench</i>: <span>Starke</span>, Contento, Højbjerg, Shaqiri, Robben, Ribéry, <span>Pizarro</span></p>
<h4>The Opponent</h4>
<p>Max Eberl really knows how to get a bang for his buck.</p>
<p>His major additions, Raffael from Dynamo Kyiv and Max Kruse from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/bundesliga/teams/sc-freiburg">SC Freiburg</a>, have combined for 17 goals as a striker-center forward partnership. His other addition, loanee Christoph Kramer from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, has the fourth best pass percentage for a central midfielder while also collecting the fifth most successful tackles in the Bundesliga.</p>
<p>Subtract European or cup obligations and Borussia Mönchengladbach is a legitimate force to be reckoned with.</p>
<p>The only hindrance entering the <i>Rückrunde</i> for the <i>Fohlen</i> is <a href="http://www.borussia.de/english/season/news/borussia-news/news-detailansicht.html?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=9947&cHash=3076e6a2907e169b1f29025265cd6a59">the absence of Tony Jantschke and Roel Brouwers</a>. Jantschke returned to training Wednesday after facial surgery, while Brouwers is ruled out with a groin strain. That means manager Lucien Favre has to turn to Álvaro Dominguez to pair with Martin Stranzl in defense, the same duo that opened the Bundesliga season in Allianz Arena.</p>
<p>Whether Raffael is playing alongside or in behind Kruse makes no difference; Borussia Mönchengladbach scores the most goals at home in the Bundesliga largely due to the contributions of the two.</p>
<p><i>Projected Lineup (4-4-2)</i></p>
<p align="center">Kruse – Raffael</p>
<p align="center">Arango – Xhaka – Kramer – Hermann</p>
<p align="center">Wendt – Stranzl – Dominguez – Korb</p>
<p align="center">ter Stegen</p>
<p><i>Bench</i>: Heimeroth, Daems, Nordtveit, Younes, Rupp, de Yong, Hrgota</p>
<h4>The Outcome</h4>
<p>One thing is certain: expect a lot of goals in this contest. This is not only because these two clubs are in the top three in goals scored, but also because the last three trips for FC Bayern has seen three goals from 'Gladbach in each. <i>Die Roten</i> dominated the first meeting back in August, but that was with more hands on deck. With the positions each club is in, do not be surprised if a victor does not emerge.</p>
<p><b>Projected Score:</b> Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/">FC Bayern München</a></p>
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2014/1/23/5335936/bayern-munich-borussia-moenchengladbach-bundesliga-2014-preview-lineups-televisionDavis VanOpdorp