Shaky Start For New Coach As Bayern Struggle
Defending champions Bayer Munich were unable to start their Bundesliga campaign on a high after battling back to secure a 1-1 draw away to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bundesliga
Result: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Bayern Munich
Date: 13 August 2021
Venue: Borussia Park
Julian Nagelsmann handed an official debut to Dayot Upamecano in the defence following his big-money move from RB Leipzig while Robert Lewandowski was joined in the attack by Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane.
Upamecano did not get off the best start as Gladbach broke the deadlock on 10 minutes, with Alassane Plea skipping past the Bayern defender to fire pst Manuel Neuer from close range.
The Bavarians looked for an immediate response and went close on a few occasions, with Robert Lewandowski going closest with a that was saved by Yann Sommer on 26 minutes.
Lewandowski, who finished top scorer last season, did get the champions back on level terms three minutes before the break as the Polish striker lost his marker before volleying past Sommer from Joshua Kimmich's cross.
Gladbach came out firing in the second half and almost restored their lead 10 minutes after the interval, but Neuer was on hand to keep out Neuhaus with a brilliant save at the near post.
The hosts opted for a double change soon after, with Marcus Thuram and Jonas Hofmann introduced for Patrick Herrmann and Please with 25 minutes left on the clock.
The change almost proved to be an inspired one when Thuram was presented with a glorious chance on 77 minutes, but the Frenchman struggled to make contact in the box.
Both sides threw bodies forward in search of a winning goal, but neither were able to carve out a serious opening as the spoils were shared on the night.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
