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Germany Bundesliga

Reflections and Conclusions: Monchengladbach 3-1 Bayern

Samrin Hasib, January 21 2012,
The Bundesliga opener of the year 2012 proved exactly why this league is perhaps the most exciting in the world.
The hero of the day: Patrick Hermann
The hero of the day: Patrick Hermann
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Related Articles: Bayern, Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach started the New Year in the best way imaginable as they taught the league leaders and record Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich a lesson in football. Bayern was staring at humiliation as Gladbach tore them apart three times. Bastian Schweinsteiger made the score-line somewhat respectable with a late goal.

For the neutral, this match was a wonderful spectacle. Gladbach scored three brilliant goals on the counter-attack. Marco Reus lit up the pitch as did Patrick Hermann, scorer of the second and third goal. For Bayern, this match provided nothing but more questions. Jupp Heynckes’ expression as he saw his team bulldozed said it all about Bayern’s afternoon.

There are various conclusions which can be drawn from the match.

1) Gladbach is a genuine title contender: All the doubts about Gladbach’s contention should end today. They have beaten Bayern twice and held Dortmund to a 1-1 draw earlier in the season. The only blot in their copy book was a humiliating defeat at the hands of Schalke.

2) Patrick Hermann is perhaps Marco Reus’ successor: When Marko Marin left Gladbach, the club needed time to find someone who could be their talisman. Then came Marco Reus. The supporters offered Reus a generous standing ovation today for all that he has done for the club despite the fact that he will be departing in six months’ time.

Hermann today showed he is capable of taking Gladbach to dizzying heights. He is the next German to add to the long-line of amazing German stars. Hermann’s qualities are a little different from those of Goetze and Oezil. He resembles Andre Schuerrle and has a love of scoring against Bayern.

3) Bayern has an average defence: The great Bavarian defence that kept 10 clean sheets in the first half of the campaign was absolutely torn apart today. Manuel Neuer made an error today that the young Marc ter-Stegen does not make. The rest of the defence was poor and allowed Gladbach to just tear through the middle time and time again. If Bayern is to compete on three fronts successfully, the defence has to improve.

4) Bayern requires a ‘Plan B’: How often have you seen Bayern go down a goal and fail to come-back? Bayern won just two games after going behind (VfB Stuttgart in the League and VfL Bochum in the Cup) this season, Jupp Heynckes does not have Plan B. Once Bayern concedes a goal, they usually do score but are opened at the back repeatedly.

It is about time that Bayern starts using the skills of Ivica Olic, Nils Petersen, Luiz Gustavo and even David Alaba when in trouble.

5) This championship might not be heading Bayern’s way: Bayern has been somewhat erratic this season. They have lost to Hanover, Mainz, Gladbach twice and Dortmund. They have drawn against Hoffenheim. Dortmund is on their heels as is Huub Stevens’ Schalke and Gladbach of course. Bayern has a lot of hard work ahead of them if they are to stay in the cup competitions and stay ahead of their rivals in the Bundesliga.

So, what was you take on the game? Feel free to leave your opinions on the game.

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