Late chance for Herrmann! A Bayern attacking move breaks down and Monchengladbach immediately hit them on the counter. They break forward quickly before the midfielder receives the ball on the edge of the box, but his final touch is poor and he's unable to unleash a shot before Neuer deals with the danger. Will that prove to be the final opportunity of the afternoon?
90' +2
J. Hofmann enters the game and replaces Raffael.
90' +1
The ball pinballs around the edge of the Monchengladbach penalty area as Bayern desperately try to get a shot away, but there are far too many white shirts camped in front of them and Bernat eventually ends up losing possession before clumsily foulding Herrmann.
Monchengladbach have made their final change of the game, with Hofmann coming on to take the place of Raffael for the final two minutes.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
88'
A terrible attempted clearance by Neuer fails to find a red shirt and looks as if it's going to cause Bayern plenty of problems, but luckily for him Xhaka ends up losing the ball before crashing into Thiago, resulting in a free-kick for the hosts just inside their own half of the pitch.
86'
Alaba is starting to push extremely far down the left wing as he and Coman try to Herrmann and Elvedi under plenty of pressure. The Bayern duo initially link up well before the Austrian penetrates the penalty area, but Christensen is there to cut out the danger with a sliding interception on the edge of the six-yard box.
84'
Thiago once again tries to beat Sommer with a long-range strike after finding himself alone in a pocket of space, but his thumping, 25-yard effort fails to trouble the Swiss goalkeeper and sails comfortably over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
83'
Costa does well to muscle his way through a sea of white shirts in the middle of the pitch before working the ball over to Coman, who quickly fires a low cross off Christensen and out of the box. The loose ball is picked up for Kimmich, but the midfielder's attempted pass forward is poorly hit and easily cut out by Xhaka.
81'
After spending the vast majority of the last five minutes firmly on the back foot, Monchengladbach are eventually able to push forward after finally winning back the ball. However, Elvedi is poor in possession and ends up gifting it to Rode, who is then fouled and wins a free-kick for his side near to the halfway line.
79'
Costa picks up the ball in plenty of space on the right wing and cuts inside before trying to beat Sommer with a 30-yard strike. However, the Brazilian's shot is underhit and ends up bouncing straight into the goalkeeper's hands in the middle of the goal.
Minute
Description
77'
Douglas Costa enters the game and replaces S. Taşçı.
N. Elvedi gets yellow.
Bayern have made their final alteration of the afternoon, and it's an attacking one, with Costa coming on to replace Tasci. Can the Brazilian help his side find a second goal that would surely result in them winning the title?
Elvedi becomes the latest player to receive a yellow card for a reckless challenge midway down the left wing.
76'
And now it's Thiago who tries to beat Sommer with an acrobatic overhead kick from the edge of the Monchengladbach penalty area, but, unsurprisingly, the midfielder's audacious effort ends up sailing comfortably over the visitors' goal.
74'
Chance for Bernat! Bayern immediately throw as many bodies forward as possible as they desperately try to fire themselves back into the lead. Red shirts swarm towards the Monchengladbach box before the Spaniard receives the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but his rocket of a volley ends up clearing the top of the crossbar by quite some distance.
72'
A. Hahn has scored a goal for Borussia M'gladbach! Assist by L. Stindl.
That was an absolutely excellent pass by Stindl, who picked out Hahn perfectly and completely took the Bayern defence by surprise with such a well-placed through ball.
GOAL! Monchengladbach have equalised! Stindl picks up the ball in a pocket of space in the middle of the pitch and immediately pokes a lovely pass into the path of Hahn. The striker beats Benatia with ease before penetrating the Bayern penalty area, and he then fires an excellent low strike past the outstretched arm of Neuer and into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
70'
What a chance for Hahn! Herrmann flies down the right wing and latches on to a loose ball before curling a beautiful cross into the middle of the penalty area, but the striker's outstretched foot ends up missing it by the narrowest of margins. Any sort of it touch would surely have resulted in an equaliser for Monchengladbach!
68'
D. Alaba enters the game and replaces J. Boateng.
Boateng receives a rousing round of applause from the home fans as he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Alaba.
66'
Raffael muscles his way through a sea of red shirts before being clumsily fouled by Rode, resulting in a free-kick for Monchengladbach in a dangerous position 30 yards away from the Bayern goal. The Brazilian curls a looping cross into the heart of the penalty area, but Tasci is there to easily clear the danger with a great header.
64'
Coman, who has arguably been one of Bayern's best players inside the final third of the pitch, once again wins his side a corner after weaving his way down the left wing. However, the set-piece is poorly hit and sails straight into the hands of Sommer in the middle of the box.
62'
P. Herrmann enters the game and replaces I. Traoré.
Thiago Alcântara enters the game and replaces M. Götze.
Meanwhile, Thiago has come on to replace Gotze, who didn't have the best of games and failed to see much of the ball as a result.
61'
Monchengladbach have made their second change of the game, with Herrmann coming on to replace Traore, who still seems to be moving a bit gingerly due to the knock he received earlier in the half.
60'
Monchengladbach are starting to find more joy as they push forward, and they're now firmly on the front foot as they desperately try to find an equaliser. Stindl has looked good since coming on and has shown good understanding with Traore on the right flank, where the visitors are causing problems for Bayern.
58'
Traore, who seems to have made a full recovery from his earlier knock, embarks on a marauding run down the right wing before poking a pass into the feet of Stindl. The forward takes a quick touch and tries to find Raffael, but he's quickly closed down and dispossessed before he can do so.
57'
L. Stindl enters the game and replaces T. Hazard.
Monchengladbach have made their first substitution of the game, with Hazard making way for Stindl.
56'
Chance for Xhaka! The Swiss midfielder picks up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch and immediately sprints into the Bayern half of the pitch. He flies towards the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a 20-yard strike, but it ends up flying just a yard or two wide of the near post after beating the outstretched arm of Neuer.
54'
Coman weaves his way down the left flank and cuts inside before firing a low cross off Christensen and out for a corner. The set-piece is curled into the heart of the penalty area and almost finds Muller in a dangerous position, but Nordtveit is there to cut out the danger.
52'
A half-hearted Monchengladbach attacking move comes to a premature end, and Neuer immediately tries to kick-start a quick Bayern counter with a thumping clearance up the pitch. It flies past several white shirts before almost finding Muller on the edge of the visitors' box, but Sommer does well to rush out and deal with the danger with a blasting clearance out to the right wing.
50'
As was the case towards the end of the first half, Bayern are finding it easy to hold on to possession as they comfortably move the ball around inside the Monchengladbach half of the pitch. The visitors don't seem to be playing with the intensity needed to close down and dispossess the hosts, who look hungry for more goals.
48'
Traore seems to be really struggling after clashing with Bernat whilst sprinting down the right wing. He looks to be in a lot of pain and is carefully moved off the pitch before receiving medical treatment. Monchengladbach will be hoping that he can make a quick recovery, as he's been an important player for them thus far.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45' +1
Raffael goes close! The Brazilian has found it incredibly difficult to get on the ball inside the Bayern half of the pitch, but with one of the last touches of the half he almost fires in a Monchengladbach equaliser. He and Hazard link up brilliantly on the edge of the penalty area before the number 11 charges through on goal, but just as he's about to shoot, Neuer comes rushing out to deal with the danger with a thumping clearance.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Gotze and Muller link up well just outside of the Monchengladbach penalty area before the latter tries to beat Sommer with a swinging shot, but it takes a deflection off the chest of Christensen that sends the effort bouncing away from goal.
43'
Coman is thoroughly enjoying himself at the moment, and once again he causes the Monchengladbach defenders problems with his pace and skill. He then picks out Bernat with a well-placed pass over to the left wing, but the Spaniard's curling cross fails to find a red shirt inside the box.
42'
Monchengladbach can't get anywhere near the ball, and it's Bayern who are comfortably running rings around the visitors inside their own half of the pitch. Coman then penetrates the left-hand side of the penalty area before cutting inside and trying to pick out Gotze, but he's quickly closed down by Elvedi and is dispossessed before he can do so.
40'
Rode is recklessly tripped over by Dahoud, resulting in a free-kick for Bayern in the middle of the pitch 35 yards away from the Monchengladbach goal. It's taken short and sent over to Coman, who then swings a cross over to the far post, where Wendt is just about able to volley a clearance a yard or so wide of the near post and out for a corner.
38'
Bayern patiently work their way down the right flank before winning themselves a free-kick in a dangerous position midway inside the Monchengladbach half of the pitch. It's swung into the middle of the penalty area but is easily dealt with by Nordtveit, who then puts Coman under pressure and forces the Frenchman into sending the ball back towards the halfway line.
36'
The first corner is played short but quickly results in a second, which is then curled towards the near post. Once again, it's underhit, and Bayern are easily able to deal with the danger before breaking forward on a swift counter-attack through the middle of the pitch. They initially do well to break into the Monchengladbach half of the pitch but freeze at the penalty area, which allows Wendt to comfortably win back possession for the visitors.
35'
Hazard breaks through the middle of the pitch before poking a well-timed through ball into the path of Hahn. The striker breaks past Tasci before trying to swing a low cross into the Bayern box, but the centre-back stands firm and deflects the ball out for a corner.
33'
Bayern move the ball around well just outside of the Monchengladbach penalty area before Muller picks it up in a pocket of space 20 yards away from goal. He quickly lifts his head and tries to beat Sommer with a swinging shot, but the strike is poorly hit and sails straight into the goalkeeper's hands.
31'
Vital interception by Nordtveit! Coman breaks through the disjointed Monchengladbach back line and flies towards the visitors' penalty area, but just as he's about to penetrate the box, he's dispossessed by a fantastic sliding tackle from the Norwegian, who timed that to perfection.
29'
A great tackle from Hazard wins back possession for Monchengladbach just outside of their own penalty area, and he immediately spins and kick-starts a quick counter-attack. The Belgian flies down the left flank on a wonderful run before cutting inside and finding Raffael, but the Brazilian's attempted flick on to Hahn is underhit and fails to find the striker.
27'
Coman picks up the ball near to the halfway line and charges down the left wing on an excellent run. He sprints past two Monchengladbach players before heading towards the edge of the visitors' penalty area, but Dahoud is there to dispossess him at the vital moment before flying to the halfway line.
25'
After enjoying a few positive minutes in the immediate aftermath of Bayern's goal, Monchengladbach are now finding it difficult to cause the hosts too many problems. The Bavarians are on the front foot once again and are finding it easy to comfortably keep the ball away from their opponents, who are trying to press as high up the pitch as possible.
23'
Rafinha breaks down the right wing and embarks on a marauding run forward before finding himself in a pocket of space. He then tries to swing a cross over to Muller, who had made a good run into the box, but it's overhit and sails high and wide of the Monchengladbach goal.
22'
S. Rode gets yellow.
The referee's yellow card is out once again, and this time it's Rode who's cautioned for a reckless sliding challenge on Wendt down the left wing.
21'
A half-hearted Monchengladbach attacking move breaks down, allowing Bayern to fly forward on a quick counter-attack. Muller sprints into the left-hand side of the penalty area and meets the ball well before cutting inside and trying to find Gotze, but he holds on to possession for far too long and is dispossessed before he can pick out his fellow forward.
19'
Monchengladbach take the free-kick quickly and send it short, but Hahn is quickly closed down by Boateng, who charges over to the right wing and does well to shepherd the ball out of play for a Bayern goal-kick.
18'
S. Taşçı gets yellow.
Tasci flies into Traore and brings the Guinean crashing to the ground as he tries to sprint down the right wing, and he becomes the first player to earn a yellow card.
17'
The resulting corner initially fails to trouble the Bayern defenders before the ball bounces out to Dahoud on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder immediately unleashes a rocket of a shot, but it's overhit and ends up sailing safely over the top of the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
16'
Hahn goes close! Monchengladbach move the ball around quickly inside the Bayern half of the pitch before Wendt swings a lovely cross into the heart of the hosts' penalty area. It flies straight over to the striker, who sticks out a foot and unleashes a deft volley that Neuer is just about able to tip round the near post.
14'
There's a brief break in play as Elvedi and Muller both receive medical attention after clashing heads inside the Monchengladbach half of the pitch. The Swiss defender seems to be struggling the most but it looks as if he's going to be okay to continue.
12'
Traore weaves his way down the right flank before forcing Bernat into poking the ball out for the visitors' first corner of the game. The winger steps up and curls a looping cross into the heart of the box, but Neuer is there to comfortably deal with the danger.
10'
Bayern are sloppy in possession deep inside their own half of the pitch and gift the ball to Hahn, who then quickly drives towards the edge of the box. He swings a cross over to Raffael, who drives to chest the ball down before unleashing a volley, but just as he's about to do so, he's dispossessed by a well-timed tackle from Boateng.
8'
Monchengladbach push plenty of bodies forward as they look to quickly bounce back with a swift equaliser, but they're quickly closed down by a sea of red shirts before Tasci wins the ball back for the hosts on the edge of the Bayern box.
6'
T. Müller has scored a goal for Bayern Munich! Assist by J. Kimmich.
GOAL! Bayern have taken an early lead! The corner is curled into the middle of the penalty area, where it comfortably finds the head of Muller in a dangerous position. He rises high and meets the ball well before nodding it down towards goal, and Sommer is completely put off by Tasci, which results in the goalkeeper mistiming his dive before pushing the ball into the back of the net. What a start for the hosts!
That was a lovely swinging cross from Kimmich that picked out Muller brilliantly, but questions have to be asked of the Monchengladbach defenders, who left both the goalscorer and Tasci unmarked and failed to respond quickly enough to the danger.
5'
Lovely play by Muller! The forward twists and turns on the right-hand side of the Monchengladbach penalty area as he skips past two defenders. He quickly looks up before trying to pick out Gotze with a swinging cross, but it deflects off Nordtveit's face and out for a corner.
3'
Both sides battle hard inside the Monchengladbach half of the pitch before Rafinha charges down the right flank and wins Bayern an early corner. It's swung towards the near post, where a group of red shirts are waiting, but the cross is underhit and is easily cut out by Nordtveit.
1'
And we're off! Monchengladbach get us underway, attacking from left to right.
After enjoying another fantastic season in which they have only lost two of their 31 league games, Bayern head into today’s clash knowing that three more points are all they need to wrap up a record-breaking fourth consecutive Bundesliga title. Despite constantly being made to look over their shoulders by Thomas Tuchel’s rejuvenated Borussia Dortmund side, Pep Guardiola’s men have dominated throughout the course of the campaign and will be relishing the opportunity to pick up the league crown in front of their own fans, something that they haven’t been able to do since 2000. The Bavarians were handed a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday evening but they have impressed domestically over the past few weeks, winning all of their previous six clashes, conceding just once in the process. Since the start of the year, 13 of their last 16 league games have ended in victories, with only Mainz beating them during that period. However, the Reds will be well aware of which team it was that handed them their first league defeat of the season.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Bundesliga game between Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach at the Allianz Arena.
A commanding start to the second half in last December’s meeting between the two sides resulted in a 3-1 win for Monchengladbach at the Borussia Park, and it means that they head to the Allianz Arena with back-to-back victories against the reigning champions firmly under their belts. In fact, it’s now well over two years since Bayern last beat the Foals in a competitive game, and they will be under no allusions that today’s clash is going to be an easy one. After suffering defeats against Ingolstadt and Hannover in consecutive games, Andre Schubert’s men still have a great chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League thanks to last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Hoffenheim. The victory means that they now sit just one point behind fourth-place Hertha Berlin, who are currently without a win in their last four Bundesliga games and face what is sure to be a tricky trip to Bayer Leverkusen later today.
Meanwhile, Monchengladbach boss Andre Schubert has named an unchanged side to the one that started the win against Hoffenheim last weekend, with Thorgan Hazard, Andre Hahn and Raffael once again leading the line.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
Pep Guardiola has decided to make seven changes to the Bayern side that started the 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid during the week, with Mehdi Benatia, Jerome Boateng, Serdar Tasci, Joshua Kimmich, Sebastian Rode, Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze all coming in to a heavily altered line-up that sees several of the team’s best players start on the substitutes’ bench. Today’s game also marks the long-awaited return of Boateng, who is set to make his first appearance since January 22nd after a lengthy period on the sidelines with a groin injury.
Despite being 1-0 up and 45 minutes away from yet another Bundesliga title, a few boos ring around the Allianz Arena as the two teams make their way off the pitch. Bayern haven't been at their best thus far but nonetheless deserve to be in front after enjoying a comfortable first half. Monchengladbach have offered little going forward and have struggled to cause the hosts too many problems, which has allowed the Bavarians to spend large portions of the game comfortably holding on to possession. The visitors are going to have to increase the tempo and commit more bodies forward if they are to have any hope of pulling off a second-half comeback.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and groans ring around the stadium. Bayern's failure to win means that they will have to wait for at least another week before lifting the title, something that they certainly didn't want to have to do heading into today's clash. They can have few complaints about the result, however, as Monchengladbach did wonderfully well to fight back and score an equaliser with a wonderfully worked team goal. From then onwards, the hosts looked too tentative when attacking and failed to break down their hardworking opponents, who were easily able to hold on to a well-deserved point that moves them up to third place ahead of Hertha Berlin's game against Bayer Leverkusen in an hour's time.
Commentary
More…