Borussia Mönchengladbach walked out of the Allianz Arena on Friday evening with a 1-1 draw thanks largely in part to the heroics of Marc Andre Ter Stegen. The goalkeeper was a barrier in front of the Gladbach goal throughout the match, especially in the second half when Bayern stepped into an extra gear trying to find a winner.
Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach: Final score 1-1, Ter Stegen puts on a goalkeeping clinic for Gladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach came away from the Allianz Arena with a point against Bayern Munich thanks to the amazing play of goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen.
The hosts took control from the opening whistle with early possession in the Gladbach half of the field. Bayern began to ratchet up the pressure along the Gladbach back four, but the visitors were holding them at bay. Ter Stegen, in particular, was lively with a few early saves to keep the ball out of his net.
Gladbach rarely ventured deep into Bayern territory for the first twenty minutes. Their one positive looking attack turned into a goal thanks to a questionable decision by the referee. Tolga Ciğerci dribbled in from the left side and played in a cross. Bayern defender Jerome Boateng was in front of the Turkish midfielder and jumped to block. Boateng's arms were at his side, but the ball struck one of his arms. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Thorben Marx stepped up and converted the penalty to give Gladbach the 1-0 lead after twenty one minutes.
Bayern came out throwing everything forward at the Gladbach goal. Franck Ribery received a pass at the top of the penalty area and curled a shot to the far post, but Ter Stegen was there to make an unbelievable save to keep Gladbach in front. The remainder of the half saw Bayern pushing numbers forward but unable to test Ter Stegen.
The second half was much more of the same with Bayern pushing forward out of the back, and Gladbach settling for defending deep with the occasional counter attack. Ter Stegen made a great save to the low corner on a shot by Bastian Schweinsteiger to maintain the lead.
Xherdan Shaqiri, who came on in the first half as an injury sub for Javi Martinez, finally found a goal for Bayern in the 59th minute. The midfielder sidestepped a Gladbach defender in the penalty area before blasting a shot past Ter Stegen to draw level at one.
The story on the day would be the amazing play of Ter Stegen. The Gladbach keeper made save after save after save to deny Bayern all three points. He has been disappointing this season after the form he showed last season in Gladbach’s amazing campaign, but Ter Stegen showed everyone tonight why he is considered one of the world’s great young goalkeepers.
The point takes Bayern twelve points clear at the top of the table over Bayer Leverkusen who host Hamburg Saturday afternoon. They will travel to Augsburg midweek for a third round match in the DFB Pokal before the winter break. Gladbach move into the last guaranteed Europa League place with the draw.
See More:
