Bundesliga: Bayern Munich off to a winning start
David Alaba looks to the heavens after scoring from the spot
Pep Guardiola started his Bundesliga career on a high, as he saw his Bayern Munich side beat Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 in the opening game of the 2013-14 league season in Germany.
The Catalan decided to retain 10 out of the 11 players, who started for The Bavarians in their Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund in May.
The German champions opened the scoring as early as the 12th minute through a deft touch from Arjen Robben, who pounced on a sublime ball played behind the defence by Franck Ribery.
Just four minutes later, Mario Mandzukic scored from close range after Borussia Monchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen spilled an Arjen Robben free-kick, which had taken a deflection on its way through.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s first big chance came in the 29th minute, when Manuel Neuer had to pull off a splendid one-handed save to deny Max Kruse from pulling one back for Die Fohlen.
Catastrophe struck for Guardiola’s team in the 40th minute, as Dante put one past his own goalkeeper to bring ‘Gladbach back into the game. Ter Stegen then pulled off two brilliant saves from a thumping shot from Kroos and a Mandzukic header from the following corner, at the other end.
After an enthralling half of football, Bayern went into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Borussia Monchengladbach were unlucky not to level proceedings immediately after half-time, as Arango’s shot on goal was blocked by his own team-mate Raffael. Soon after, Neuer had to stretch to stop Kruse from equalising for the away team.
An extraordinary turn of events followed, as Dominquez conceded a penalty after handling the ball in the penalty box. The resulting spot-kick from Thomas Muller was brilliantly saved by ter Stegen. Unfortunately for ‘Gladbach, as the ball fell free, Dominquez handled the ball again as Robben tried to go past him and the referee pointed to the spot.
It was David Alaba who stepped up this time and he made no mistake, to give the reigning European champions a two-goal cushion for the second time in the game.
The game slowed down a touch after that as Bayern gained control to give Guardiola the perfect start to life in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich – Neuer; Dante, Alaba, Boateng, Lahm; Schweinsteiger (73′ Kirchhoff), Robben, Ribéry, Kroos (85′ Martínez), Muller (77′ Rafinha); Mandzukic.
Borussia Monchengladbach – Ter Stegen; Jantschke, Stranzl, Dominguez, Daems; Kramer (85′ Luuk de Jong), Xhaka, Herrmann (70′ Hrgota), Arango (71′ Younes), Raffael; Kruse.
Final Score:
Bayern Munich 3 – 1 Borussia Monchengladbach
1-0 Robben (12’)
2-0 Mandzukic (16’)
2-1 Dante – OG (40’)
3-1 Alaba – PEN (69’)