Bayern lose at Gladbach in latest Bundesliga setback
FC Bayern Munich’s bumpy start to 2023 continues.
Borussia Mönchengladbach defeated 10-man Bayern 3-2 on Saturday to add even more excitement to the Bundesliga title race.
Marcus Thuram struck late to seal the win after goals from Lars Stindl and Jonas Hofmann extended Bayern’s winless streak against Gladbach to five games in all competitions.
Holders Bayern have dropped points for the fourth time in six league games this year and Union Berlin can take the lead with a win over bottom-placed Schalke on Sunday.
Borussia Dortmund can catch up with Bayern with a win against Hertha BSC.
Julian Nagelsmann, who has never seen a win against Gladbach since his tenure as Bayern coach, was annoyed that Dayot Upamecano was sent off in the eighth minute. The France defender was shown a red card for tripping up Alassane Plea, who was in goal. TV replays showed minimal contact, but it was enough for match officials.
“Referees also make mistakes, that’s not a problem,” said Nagelsmann, who faced referee Tobias Welz after the game. “But just say it’s not a red card. Everyone can live with that. It’s just not red.”
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalized in the 35th after a great run down the left flank of Alphonso Davies.
Substitute Mathys Tel added another in stoppage time for Bayern, also assisted by Davies.
Sommer saved Stindl’s free-kick after Upamecano was sent off, but was unable to stop the Gladbach captain in the 13th. Hofmann played a free kick from the right, Stindl hit the right post with a low shot.
Nagelsmann responded to Upamecano’s dismissal with João Cancelo for team captain Thomas Müller, who had played his 429th Bundesliga game for Bayern, equaling goalkeeper Oliver Kahn’s club record. Only Sepp Maier has more with 473.
Bayern showed great morale after Choupo-Moting equalised, but Hofmann scored in the 55th minute after playing a one-two with Plea.
Ramy Bensebaini hit the crossbar for Gladbach two minutes later, which was sealed by Thuram, who was set up by Hofmann in the 84th.
“It’s a setback, but we have to cope with it,” said Sommer.
FC Bayern meets Union Berlin in Munich on February 26.
After a rare goalless game against Cologne last weekend, Randal Kolo Muani scored again for Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-0 win against Werder Bremen.
The French striker sealed the win in the 52nd minute, assisted by Ansgar Knauff after Jiří Pavlenka saved his first shot. It was Kolo Muani’s eighth goal in seven games this year in all competitions.
In addition, Leipzig defeated Wolfsburg away 3-0.
Stuttgart defeated Cologne 3-0 and climbed out of the relegation zone at the expense of Bochum, who lost 2-0 at home to Freiburg.