Match Report: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-1 Bayern Munich | OneFootball

In the first game week of the year, Bayern Munich faced Borussia Monchengladbach on the road. Their hosts have proven to be a big bogey of a team of late - despite Bayern winning both league games last season, they had only won three of their previous ten games against Gladbach.

How things went for Bayern Munich away to Monchengladbach

For the task at hand, Vincent Kompany opted for a line up of; Neuer - Laimer, Dier, Kim, Davies - Goretzka, Kimmich - Olise, Muller, Sane - Kane. Bayern were without the suspended Dayot Upamecano, and ill Jamal Musiala for this game.

After eighteen minutes, Bayern had their first presentable chance of the game. After Muller superbly won the ball back on the touchline, his ball into the box eventually fell to Goretzka inside the box, with the midfielder slashing the ball wide.

Five minutes or so later, they had an even better chance. From the right-hand side, Kimmich put in a superb, raking, low cross into the box, but Muller's flick from close range was kept out. Decent save from the goalkeeper, but the chance should have been converted.

That would be that for the first half, and despite all of the ball, and all of the territory, it was a frustrating half for Bayern, as the sides went into the break goalless. No stoppage time pretty much summed up how uneventful the first half was.

Three minutes into the second period, Gladbach had their first effort of the game - and what a chance it was. From the far side, a superb whipped-in cross found Tim Kleindienst at the back post, who really should have done better from an unmarked situation. It was a massive, massive letoff for Bayern.

On the hour mark, Kompany looked to his bench, and introduced Kingsley Coman in place of Muller, for Bayern's first change of the game.

Around midway through the second half, Bayern were awarded a penalty for a foul on Olise. From the spot, Kane did the rest, coolly converting for his 15th Bundesliga goal of the season.

Just a couple of moments later, Bayern somehow failed to make it 2-0. After Coman had managed to knock the ball away from the goalkeeper, Sane fired the open goal over the bar. Soon after, he was replaced by Serge Gnabry.

After 87 minutes, Bayern wasted a big opportunity when three on two on the counter. Really poor decision making, with no excuses not to make it 2-0 from there. In stoppage time, Gnabry missed a one on one.

Fortunately, these continued missed chances on the break did not haunt Bayern, as they were able to grind out a 1-0 victory. The definition of a hard fought win. Really good game management towards the end, creating lots on the break whilst giving away extremely little themselves.

During the game, Bayern had 23 shots to five, eight big chances to one, and 3.27 xG to 0.39. Even without the penalty - which came from creating a good chance anyway - this was complete and utter domination. In their last two games, Kompany's side have had 18 big chances. If they don't win the league this season, poor finishing will be the biggest reason why. However, it is a big and crucial win for Die Roten. They had to start the Ruckrunde in the best possible way. (Stats courtesy: Fotmob)