FC Bayern Munich - Findings on the opening game: Stanisic is the big winner

Julian Nagelsmanns experienced a changeable competitive debut as coach of FC Bayern Munich in the 1-1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach. What did you notice? Three realizations.

1 .: Nagelsmann deprives himself of his preparatory ray of hope

“Upa and Tanguy have developed well and both improved,” said Julian Nagelsmann, praising Dayot Upamecano and Tanguy Nianzou after the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach. But not after the 1: 1 at the beginning of the Bundesliga, but about two and a half weeks before after a 0: 2 defeat in a friendly against the same opponent.

FC Bayern have had a preparation that could hardly have gone worse. The EM drivers were on extended vacation, injury followed injury, no test match was won and in the end the DFB Cup match against Bremer SV had to be postponed. One of the few bright spots was that Upamecano and Nianzou could play their part in central defense.

Both the 19-year-old talent, who was injured last season, and the € 42.5 million new signing from RB Leipzig did not make it into the French EM squad. Both were available from the first day of preparation – and in the final three test games together in the starting line-up. There weren’t many alternatives: Jerome Boateng and David Alaba left the club for free, Lucas Hernandez was injured, Niklas Süle was on vacation.

Grades: Two youngsters convince, two fives for Bavaria

1/31

In the opening game of the Bundesliga season 2021/22, Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Bayern Munich split 1: 1 (1: 1). Here you can find the grades and individual reviews of the two teams.

2/31

YANN SOMMER: First on the spot against Lewandowski (14th), then again, but even better (26th). Also thwarted Stanisic well (37th). After the break two strong feet against Davies and Lewandowski. Powerless when conceding a goal. Grade: 1.5.

3/31

STEFAN LAINER: I was very lucky that Gnabry was offside after his bad pass (8th). Shortly afterwards involved in winning the ball, which resulted in the 1-0. Can make more of his header chance (54th), good cross to Thuram (77th). Note 3.

4/31

MATTHIAS GINTER: Clarified and stable in the duels, more than half of which he won. So stayed without wobbles and was always attentive. Came on most of the clarifying actions at Borussia. Note 3.

5/31

NICO ELVEDI: Much too immobile in the duel against Lewandowski when equalizing, the goal is on his cap. Was too surprised when he shot to the right of the gate (23rd). Grade: 4.5.

6/31

JOE SCALLY: The 18-year-old, who is actually at home on the right, made his Bundesliga debut – as a left-back. He certainly didn’t succeed in everything, but he delivered an absolutely decent performance. Good pace and strong tackle rate. Note 3.

7/31

CHRISTOPH KRAMER: As usual, strong against the ball and very attentive, especially just before the break, when he thwarted a promising FCB attack. Strong in conquering the ball, which led to the 1-0. Grade: 2.5.

8/31

FLORIAN NEUHAUS: Outstanding solo and great assist for Herrmann in his early big chance (6th). Failed with a good volley shot by Neuer (55th). Strong in duels, many ball conquests. Grade: 2.

9/31

PATRICK HERRMANN: Lots of light, but also some shadow: His left-hand shot only just missed (4th), shortly afterwards he spoiled the great opportunity described. Super pressing and strong pre-assist at 1-0. A bad bad pass (35th). Grade: 2.5.

10/31

LARS STINDL: Would have taken the lead if Herrmann’s cross pass had arrived (6th). Very clever, then, his sling template on Plea before the 1-0. Neuer defeated heavily after his great low shot (70th). Grade: 2.5.

11/31

HANNES WOLF: Fought twice as many duels (18) as the second-best Gladbacher in the first half and won half. Lots of tackles against the ball, but with the most ball losses and poor passing rate. Improved after the break. Grade: 4.

12/31

ALASSANE PLEA: Asserted himself well and hung up early for Herrmann (4th). With his goal to 1-0 ice cold in the end. Great opening pass to Wolf (39th). After a little over an hour it was over. Grade: 2.5.

13/31

MARCUS THURAM: Came in the 64th for Plea and immediately made a big splash. Shortly afterwards he was able to clap for Stindl. Slid past 2: 1 (77th) – the goal has to fall. Got two penalties. Grade: 2.

14/31

JONAS HOFMANN: Herrmann came into play in the 64th minute. Fought three tackles and won none. Otherwise eagerly against the ball, but without much impetus. Grade: 3.5.

15/31

KEANAN BENNETTS: Wolf went down for him after 72 minutes. Came on 15 ball actions and did nothing wrong. No rating.

16/31

LASZLO BENES: Substituted for Neuhaus in the final minute. No rating.

17/31

MANUEL NEUER: Had so little to do that he got involved in the game setup even more than usual. Had more contact with the ball than Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka. Impeccable pass rate. Note 3.

18/31

JOSIP STANISIC: The 21-year-old often moved in from the right side of defense, helping Bayern regain control of the ball. Active and noticeable. Second fastest Bavarian after Davies. Good chance. Appealing, cheeky appearance. Grade: 2.5.

19/31

NIKLAS SÜLE: Somewhat surprisingly given preference over Nianzou, the central defender showed a mostly decent performance from the middle of the first half. Resolute in a duel, he played many of his passes in the opposing half. Grade: 4.

20/31

DAYOT UPAMECANO: The newcomer from Leipzig looked unhappy at 0-1, although he wasn’t to blame for the goal. Sometimes too carefree in his actions. Caused two penalties that weren’t given for whatever reason. Grade: 5.

21/31

ALPHONSO DAVIES: Catastrophic playing error in midfield in front of Gladbacher 1-0. You could tell that he had only been in team training for a few days. But increased enormously in the course of the game, especially valuable up front. Grade: 3.5.

22/31

JOSHUA KIMMICH: In the build-up of the game, I often fell between the central defenders, prepared the 1-1 with a corner. He can certainly do better, but boss again immediately. Grade: 2.5.

23/31

LEON GORETZKA: One of the things you noticed most of all was the lack of training: Less on the ball than Neuer goalkeeper, hardly surprising actions. Grade: 4.5.

24/31

SERGE GNABRY: The same applies to him as to Goretzka. Much too inconspicuous, much too predictable. Grade: 5.

25/31

THOMAS MÜLLER: Only Lewandowski had fewer ball contacts than he did in the first half. Above all, Müller interpreted the rooms at the very front. After the break, he tried more than a driver. With manageable success. Grade: 4.

26/31

LEROY SANE: Introduced himself with a loss of the ball in front of Herrmann’s big chance at the beginning, hardly brought anything forward. But the stronger Stanisic got, the more active and better he got too. Grade: 4.

27/31

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI: Who else should have scored the first Bayern goal of the season! Driven his team forward after the weak start and could have scored more often. Grade 2.5.

28/31

KINGSLEY COMAN: Came in for Sane after 74 minutes. Good preparation for Kimmich in stoppage time. No rating.

29/31

JAMAL MUSIALA: Came with Coman, replaced Gnabry, was much more active than him, but couldn’t prevent Gladbach from becoming more dominant from minute to minute. No rating.

30/31

ERIC MAXIM CHOUPO-MOTING: Came just before the end for Müller. Ineffective. No rating.

31/31

BOUNA SARR: Came for Stanisic, should make it 1-1. Still worked out a chance. No rating.

Quite surprisingly, Nagelsmann blew up the well-rehearsed duo for the Bundesliga opening game. Instead of Nianzou, Süle started next to Upamecano, who was not used in a single test match. “I chose Niki because he is a seasoned Bundesliga player. Tanguy had very little rhythm and was injured last year,” explained Nagelsmann. It is interesting that Nagelsmann apparently weighted the rhythm of the past season higher than that of the preparation.

In any case, the decision was not worth it, because the central defense presented itself against Gladbach as one of the major weaknesses of FC Bayern. The coordination between Upamecano and Süle left a lot to be desired, especially at the beginning and at the end of the game, which led to Upamecano’s three major mistakes. Before Alassane Pleas 0: 1 he defended too carelessly and in the final phase he afforded two penalty-worthy (and curiously unpunished) fouls on Marcus Thuram. “It is absolutely clear that the defensive is an issue and that we want to improve there,” said Nagelsmann.