Borussia Mönchengladbach Vs. Bayern Munich, 2012 Bundesliga: Halftime, Errors Have Die Fohlen In Front

It’s all gone wrong in the first 45 minutes back from winter break for Bayern Munich, who aren’t playing terrible football but find themselves down 2-0 at halftime to Borussia Mönchengladbach. They’re passing the ball very well and keeping most of the play in ‘Gladbach’s half, but they haven’t been able to finish their chances and they’ve gifted chances to the home side. Bayern might mount a comeback, but it appears that Die Fohlen will be able to keep their home undefeated streak intact.

The first goal was a gift from Manuel Neuer, but it still required a good bit of skill and confidence to finish. Inexplicably, with the ball at his feet after a back pass, Neuer passed the ball directly to Marco Reus. The soon to be Borussia Dortmund man had an open goal to shoot at, but only a small window to fit the ball into from 35 yards. He hit it perfectly into the back of the net, putting Gladbach up in the 11th minute.

Bayern had the better of the play from then until late in the half, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen making a number of excellent saves to keep his team’s clean sheet. In the 41st minute, Arjen Roben gave the ball away and the home side went on the counter attack. Mike Hanke hit a great diagonal ball from the half-way line into the path of Patrick Herrmann, who carried the ball into the penalty area and finished past Neuer to make it 2-0. The Bayern defense was absolutely nowhere to be found, and Neuer had no chance to make the save.

Bayern is playing decent football, so there’s no reason for Jupp Heynckes to significantly alter his tactics, but his defense well have to play better. Additionally, the Bayern attackers will have to hope that ter Stegen plays less than spectacularly in the second half. In all 135 of his minutes against the Bavarians this season, he has been stunning.