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Bundesliga
Mar 22, 2015 at 4.30pm UK
 
Borussia Monchengladbach logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Raffael (30', 77')

Live Commentary: Bayern Munich 0-2 Borussia Monchengladbach - as it happened

Take a look back at how Borussia Monchengladbach claimed a 2-0 victory to inflict a first home defeat of the season on Bayern Munich.
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Leaders Bayern Munich suffered their first home defeat of the season as Borussia Monchengladbach battled to a 2-0 victory at the Allianz Arena.

Despite dominating for long spells of the match, Bayern were behind before the break when Manuel Neuer could only spill Raffael's low effort over the line.

The match continued in a similar patter after the interval as the visiting defence produced an impressive performance, and Raffael scored his second of the game in the 77th minute to boost Gladbach's bid for Champions League football.

Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.


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Good afternoon everyone! Recovered from the madness that was Liverpool vs. Manchester United? Well, good because I've got some Bundesliga action for you. Bayern Munich are looking to take another step towards the title as Champions League hopefuls Borussia Monchengladbach visit the Allianz Arena.

Bayern went two games without a win a few weeks back, but they've been absolutely fantastic since drawing 1-1 with Schalke. Five successive wins have come with 27 goals, and Pep Guardiola's side look unstoppable at the moment as they cruised to a third successive title.

It could be a huge day for Borussia Monchengladbach. Every side that visits the Allianz Arena does so as underdogs, but this is a confident group of players thanks to a five-game unbeaten run. They start the day in fourth and will give their Champions League hopes a huge boost with a result today.

What are the chances of an upset today? Well, Gladbach are an attacking side and they have the ability to cause Bayern problems on the break, but it will of course depend on the home team's performance. When Guardiola's men are on form, they can be unbeatable. A strong defensive display and good decisions on the counter are key for Gladbach today.

BAYERN: Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Bernat, Alonso, Schweinsteiger, Alaba, Gotze, Lewandowski, Robben
SUBS: Reina, Dante, Thiago, Rode, Lahm, Muller, Weiser

Four changes for Bayern as Guardiola hands recalls to Manuel Neuer, Holger Badstuber, Xabi Alonso and Arjen Robben. A strong bench including Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm is boosted by the return of Thiago Alcantara, who ends his injury nightmare by earning a place in the squad.


GLADBACH: Sommer, Jantschke, Stranzl, Dominguez, Wendt, Kramer, Xhaka, Herrmann, Johnson, Raffael, Hahn
SUBS: Traore, Kruse, Nordveit, Hazard, Korb, Hrgota, Heimeroth

Lucien Favre makes two key, and possibly surprising, attacking changes to his side for the meeting with the champions. Max Kruse and Thorgan Hazard both drop to the bench as Fabian Johnson and Andre Hahn earn starts. Branimir Hrgota must also settle for a place alongside the substitutes.

2 - @borussia_en won only 2 of their 46 BL matches at @FCBayernEN (10D, 34L), in 1995 and in 2011. Drudgery. — OptaFranz(@OptaFranz) March 22, 2015


PREDICTION: It's going to be tough, but Gladbach certainly have the tools to surprise Bayern today. Their chances could come down to how they perform in the first 20-30 minutes. If Bayern score early, it will be a long afternoon. I'll back a 3-1 Bayern victory.

Here we go then the players are on the way out, and it's just the handshakes to get out of the way as Guardiola follows his team out of the tunnel.

We're running a little bit late, but the players are finally ready to get the game underway. Gladbach have the kickoff.

Bayern have quickly took control of the game as Robben and Gotze combine to release Bernat, whose cross is blocked on the left wing.

Bayern push the visiting defence back as Lewandowski's touch lets him down in the box before Sommer clings on when Bernat unleashes an effort.

Gladbach just can't get a foot on the ball, but it looks like they were prepared for this. Almost every player is behind the ball as Alonso looks to get things going for the hosts from a deeper position.

You would have remembered this one! Gladbach are surprised by an early cross into the box, and it's Robben who surprisingly rises highest to head straight at Sommer. Nothing more than a half chance for the Dutchman.

Poor from Wendt as he allows Robben the space to deliver a low cross to the back post, but Jantschke reacts quickest to clear the danger under pressure from Gotze.

It's all Bayern at the Allianz Arena. Bernat is playing just like a winger as he starts another attack on the left. In fairness to the visitors, they've defended pretty well so far, but Favre's side need to find a way to relieve the pressure.

Favre would have expected his side to be chasing the ball early on, but he won't be happy with the way Gladbach have coped when they do win possession. There's been too many hopeful balls forward, which is piling the pressure on the defence. Alonso and Schewinsteiger are running the game in midfield.

Clever football from Lewandowski and Gotze as they exchange passes to create space on the edge of the box, but Stanzl charges down the latter's low effort.

Kramer is a touch fortunate not to pick up a booking as he trips Robben after the Dutchman had skipped a couple of challenges in midfield. Bayern continue to dominate possession.

Excellent work from Bayern as they press high up the pitch to win possession. Gotze finds a pocket of space to pick out Robben, but the winger wastes the opportunity gives the ball away looking to play in Bernat.

YELLOW CARD! No arguments from Jantschke as he picks up the first booking. Bayern break at pace and the full-back sticks a leg out to stop Robben from leading the charge.

Bayern waste the free kick as Alaba fires a low pass into Gotze, whose eagerness to take an extra touch in the box allows Gladbach to clear the danger.

SUBSTITUTION: Disappointing news for Bayern. It looks like the winger hurt himself after going down under that earlier tackle from Jantschke, and he can't continue. Muller is off the bench to replace him.

I'm not sure if Guardiola will be that delighted at the moment. Bayern may have dominated possession, but they've made some poor decisions in the final third of the pitch as Alaba mistimes a couple of crosses into the box. They're lacking the cutting edge we're used to seeing.

Great work from Stranzl. Alonso delivers a dangerous cross towards Muller, but the Gladbach refuses to offer the forward enough space to flick a header at goal.

GOAL! BAYERN 0-1 GLADBACH (RAFFAEL)

The best goalkeeper in the world has just made a huge mistake. Gladbach launch their first attack of the game on the right, and Raffael gets the goal with a firm half-volley from just inside the box. It's straight at Neuer, who spills the ball over the line after dropping to his knee in an attempt to gather it. You don't see that often. What a game we have on our hands now.

It's not often Bayern are put in this position, and Gladbach may enjoy operating on the counter attack from here. As you would expect, the leaders have dominated possession since falling behind.

Gladbach are sitting very deep, with even Raffael and Hahn getting behind the ball to frustrate the hosts. I'm still not sure whether the home fans have recovered from seeing Neuer make a mistake as an attack breaks down with a wayward cross from Bernat.

Gladbach are doing a good job of slowing the game down, and are taking their time when the ball does go out of play. Favre knows just how important it is to get to the interval ahead.

Bayern chip the ball forward to Lewandowski, but Dominguez outmuscles the Polish forward to beat him to it in the box. Sommer comes off his line to collect as Bayern are left frustrated once again.

CHANCE! Boateng is gifted the space to deliver a cross to the back post. Muller chooses to head the ball back across the box, but Stranzl gets there before Lewandowski can nod in from close range.

Jantschke gets a crucial touch on the ball when Alaba unleashes a powerful strike from 25 yards. The corner causes problems for the visitors, but Sommer eventually punches clear from the second delivery.

It's still Bayern who are controlling the pace of the match, but Gladbach's midfield and defence are sticking to their respective tasks impressively as the break approaches.

HALF TIME: BAYERN 0-1 GLADBACH

Gladbach are 45 minutes away from a big win at the Allianz Arena. The Foals are just the fifth team to score a goal at the home of the champions this season, and it arrived via a surprising source as Neuer spilled Raffael's effort over the line. Can they survive the Bayern response?

Even the social media team are wary of celebrating too soon.


BENCH WATCH: Bayern have already used one change to remove Robben, but Philipp Lahm could be an option in midfield or at full-back for the champions, while Thiago could have a big role to play on his return to the squad. I'm sure Favre won't want to change too much, but both Kruse and Hazard can make an impact on the counter attack.

There's a long way to go in this match, and if the contest follows a similar pattern, you would expect Bayern to create plenty of chances. However, the hosts need to make better decisions in the final third. Surprisingly, they've lacked a cutting edge, with Lewandowski struggling to get the service he craves.

The two sides are back out for the second half. No changes from either manager at the break. Bayern will get the game back underway.

It's a positive start to the second half from Gladbach as the visitors win a throw on the right wing before finding space with Xhaka, whose through ball is just too strong for Hahn.

Wild from Muller as he creates space with a superb turn before firing a speculative effort well over from 30 yards. It's going to take something better than that to break down this stubborn visiting defence.

YELLOW CARD! Ouch. Hahn is very late as he charges into the back of Alonso while the two challenge for the header, and he can have no arguments with the booking.

Good defending from Wendt as he reacts to clear a dangerous ball in the box and wins a free kick under pressure from Gotze after a chipped ball forward. Bayern continue to struggle to pick the right pass in attack.

Kramer is a very lucky boy as a poor touch almost plays in Muller, but Dominguez cleans up the mess to dig his teammate out of trouble. Gladbach need to make something stick in attack to relieve the pressure on the defence.

Very poor from Hahn as he drifts into an off-side position before Xhaka's clever pass. There really was no need to go so early. Had he timed the run better, he would have been through on goal.

SUBSTITUTION: Bayern really have struggled to create chances since falling behind, and Guardiola decides it's time for a change as Sebastian Rode replaces Alonso.

Better from Bayern as they step up the tempo in the final third to move the ball out wide to Rafinha, whose cross is headed straight at Sommer by Muller.

Bayern put the pressure on from the right wing again as Rafinha finds himself in space, but the brilliant Stranzl is in the right place to clear the danger and the hosts are unable to cause a problem from the corner.

You have to give credit. Hahn and Raffael have barely touched the ball in the second half, but Bayern's dominance is not doing much to worry the visiting defence. Everything has been in front of the back four. It's been too easy for Gladbach.

SUBSTITUTION: One of the home favourites is sent on as Lahm replaces Gotze, who has really struggled today.

OFF THE POST! Oh my word, Gladbach come agonisingly close to securing a victory in spectacular fashion. Hahn wins the ball high up the pitch, and with little options on offer, he unleashes a powerful strike which Neuer pushes against the post. How crucial could that save be?

SUBSTITUTION: Hahn's night is over as Max Kruse is sent on for the closing stages of the match. He will offer a good option when Gladbach look to relieve the pressure.

SAVE! Good goalkeeping from Sommer. Bernat arrives late at the back post to strike a volley which is deflect, but Sommer responds well to stop the effort and collect the loose ball.

Excellent stuff from Sommer once again as he takes all of the pressure off his defence by collecting a dangerous cross from Rafinha.

GOAL! BAYERN 0-2 GLADBACH (RAFFAEL)

Incredible! Gladbach break through Herrmann and he finds Kramer, who does brilliantly to dodge a couple of challenges before teeing up Raffael. It's not the most powerful of finishes from the Brazilian, but the ball just sneaks past Neuer's hand.

Bayern will have to do something very special to avoid just their second Bundesliga loss of the season. Gladbach have been magnificent and if they turn this two-goal advantage into a victory, it would be difficult to argue that they don't deserve it.

SUBSTITUTION: Raffael hasn't had many touches, but he walks off the field having scored two crucial goals for his side. Thorgan Hazard is his replacement.

Gladbach probably should be 3-0 up. Bayern lose the ball high up the pitch and Wendt has so much space to run into on the left wing. Kruse is on his own in the box, but Wendt fails to beat Boateng with the cross. Poor from the full-back.

It's desperate stuff from Bayern now as Alaba sends a 25-yard effort straight at Sommer, who makes another routine save. Bayern have had 14 shots, but in truth, they've not created many clear chances.

CHANCE! What on earth is Johnson doing? Gladbach have two players through on goal, but the American isn't sure whether to shoot or set up Kruse and his attempt to do the latter sends the ball out of play.

SAVE! Bayern finally create a clear chance as Lewandowski climbs highest at the back post to reach a cross with a powerful header, but Sommer responds with a superb save and Muller is unable to get enough on his own effort a few moments later.

SAVE! Kruse peels away from his marker to collect a long ball, but Neuer gets a strong hand to keep out the shot at the near post.

SUBSTITUTION: Herrmann has done a great job for his side at both ends of the pitch, and he gets a great reception from the travelling fans as he makes way for Havard Nordtveit.

We're into the first of three added minutes at the Allianz Arena, and Gladbach are doing a superb job of taking the sting out of the game. You won't see many defensive performances than this one from the visitors.

Bayern are sending longer balls forward in stoppage time, but Stranzl and Dominguez are clearing everything ahead of the full-time whistle.

FULL TIME: BAYERN 0-2 GLADBACH

What a day for Borussia Monchengladbach and their travelling supporters. A brace from Raffael has earned a famous win at the Allianz Arena and moved them up to third in the Bundesliga table as Bayern lose for just the second time this season. Did anyone see that coming? I hope you've enjoyed following a fascinating match with me. Goodbye.

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