Bayern Munich’s title defense got off to a slow start, as they drew 1-1 against Borussia Monchengladbach in the opening game of the 2021/22 Bundesliga season. Alassane Plea scored for the Foals, but Robert Lewandowski ensured that the spoils were shared.
Both teams started the season with new head coaches in the dugout. Munich poached Julian Naglesmann from RB Leipzig ahead of the season, while a head coach roulette saw Adi Hutter leave Eintracht Frankfurt for Gladbach.
With just ten minutes gone, Hutter’s team took the lead through Plea. The goal came as a consequence of Gladbach’s high press, which was successful in boxing Alphonso Davies in and winning the ball back.
A quick transition allowed Lars Stindl to run into the space between Dayot Upamecano and Niklas Sule before the forward played the ball square to the French international for the finish.
Bayern, however, were rescued by their talisman Lewandowski, who scored the equalizer three minutes before half-time. The Polish striker beat his marker during a corner before volleying in the cross past Yann Sommer.
“You are never satisfied when you don’t win. There were many chances for both sides. We were a bit lucky towards the end,”
“After the break, Gladbach were lucky when we had many chances. All in all, it was quite scrappy, but the crowd witnessed a gripping game. The quarter of an hour after the break showed that we are capable of creating many chances, but we had to score another goal.
“We played good opponents. In attack, we need to have a bit more positional stability to have a better structure. We were already aware that we still have room to improve.”
Nagelsmann said after the match.
Bayern take on Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Super Cup on August 17 before a league tie against FC Koln on August 22.
