FC Bayern Muenchen started this season with record winning season, having won the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the DFB Cup. They currently are on a run of 26 games without a defeat and have now scored in 38 consecutive games. Bastian Schweinsteiger started in his 300th Bundesliga match.
Bayern's new coach Pep Guardiola's instructions for the game were simple:
"Take the ball, have fun and attack as much as possible. When Gladbach has the ball help each other and win."Glabach's coach had a simple approach and attitude to this game:
"We think being in the opener of the new Bundesliga season is fantastic. We look forward to the game, even though we know we have a formidable task."FC Bayern Muenchen dominated the opening half and took the lead in the 11th minute (Robben) and Mandzukic doubled the score in the 14th. For most of the half Bayern played at will with Gladbach, but Ter Stegen foiled several attempts by both Kroos, Ribery and Mandzukic. A commuication error between Dante and Manuel Neuer resulted in an own goal in the 40th minute. The teams parted at half time with a 2-1 Bayern lead.
In the 11th minute Ter Stegen pushes a ball in the centre, but the ball is too short and Bayern moved the ball out to the wing to Ribery. Robben saw Ribery starting into the penalty box and provides him with an accurate pass. Robben, with the tip of his foot defeats Ter Stegen for the 1:0 lead.
At the 15 minute mark Robben was fouled in the right wing area and takes the free kick with his left foot. Ribery picks up the ball at the near post, but Ter Stegen is able to deflect the ball. The subsequent rebound is converted for a 2-0 lead by Mario Mandzukic.
While Bayern dominated, a communication error between defender Dante and keeper Manuel Neuer results in an own goal by the Brazilian defender. Neuer charged out of his net while Dante was in the process of pushing the ball back toward the goal, resulting in a 2-1 lead for the Bayern at half time.
Although Bayern dominated most of the game with possession, the match was much closer than during recent encounters. Bayern certainly did not get it all their own way.
Toni Kroos had one of the best opportunities in the 60th minute when he fired the ball from twenty meters toward the net. With Gladbach's Ter Stegen beat, Kroos's attempt was stopped by the upright.
In the 67th minute Alvaro Dominguez was called on a handball in the penalty box. Thomas Mueller took the ensuing penalty kick, but fires the ball in the centre of the net, but Ter Stegen gets a piece of the ball and deflects it. The rebound, in a strange development hits Dominguez in the hand again, resulting in another penalty kick. David Alaba made no mistake and scored the 3-1 for Bayern.
The Bavarian giant earned an important first three points and Pep Guardiola registers his first Bundesliga win. Gladbach put in a good performance and certainly did not make it easy for the champions.
