Mönchengladbach (Germany) (AFP)
For the debut of new coach Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern Munich, nine-time defending German champions, were held to a 1-1 draw on Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday in the opening match of the Bundesliga.
In a match animated by two resolutely offensive teams, Frenchman Alassane Pléa was the first to shake the net this season (10th), before the inevitable Polish scorer Robert Lewandowski equalized with a volley (42nd) .
The other matches of the first day are played on Saturday, with the entry into contention of Borussia Dortmund, and Sunday, with that of RB Leipzig.
Julian Nagelsmann, debauched in Leipzig for 25 million euros, could have dreamed of a better debut on the Rekordmeister bench, in front of some 23,000 spectators authorized to fill the bays of Borussia-Park.
This first official match served as a dress rehearsal for Bayern, as the summer preparation of the Bavarian club was complicated, truncated by many absences, with three defeats and a draw.
Between executives who have not or little played (Goretka, Kimmich, Lewandowski, Müller, Neuer or Sané) and players injured or in the recovery phase, such as the French world champions Hernandez, Pavard and Tolisso, Nagelsmann did not never been able to count on its typical team.
French Mönchengladbach striker Alassane Pléa opened the scoring at home against Bayern Munich on August 13, 2021 Ina Fassbender AFP
- First trophy on Tuesday?
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But at Bayern where the demand for results is felt more than in any other German club, the 34-year-old technician will have to ensure that this hitch remains anecdotal on the boulevard which must lead to victory in the league, at a minimum.
The one who has never won trophies in his career, has the opportunity to lift the first Tuesday on the occasion of the German Supercup against Borussia Dortmund.
New Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann during his team's match in Mönchengladbach on August 13, 2021 Ina Fassbender AFP
This new Bundesliga season started off on hats, without an observation round between two teams determined to impose their game.
After two first alerts (4th, 6th), Gladbach, 8th last year after missing qualifying for the Europa Conference Conference by one point, opened the scoring in the tenth minute of play thanks to Alassane Pléa.
Following a loss of ball from Alphonso Davies in midfield, Hermann served Stindl, who deflected for Pléa.
The latter, with a subtle control from the outside of the right foot, deceived Manuel Neuer with the inside of the left foot.
Bayern Munich players celebrate Robert Lewandowski's equalizer goal at Mönchengladbach on August 13, 2021 Ina Fassbender AFP
- Upamecano in trouble -
To the ardor of the "Fohlen" (foals), the Bavarians responded with their experience, involving the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, author of several decisive stops (14th, 26th, 36th).
Nagelsmann's men, who experienced some difficulty in the recovery, ended up finding the target thanks to a resumption of the inevitable Robert Lewandowski, served on a corner from Joshua Kimmich (42nd).
Lewandowski, who broke the Bundesliga scoring record last year with 41 goals, is kicking off his distance duel with Norwegian striker Erling Haaland in the best possible way.
The French Dayot Upamecano, recruited for 43 M EUR according to the German press, was in difficulty in the Bavarian rearguard, orphan since this summer of Jerôme Boateng, David Alaba and Javi Martinez and could even have caused two penalties at the end of match.
The new Bavarian recruit Dayot Upamecano (N.2) wrestling with Florian Neuhaus in Mönchengladbach, August 13, 2021 Ina Fassbender AFP
The two teams were not far from KO and if Bayern finished strong, Gladbach could have won, with a clear opportunity for Marcus Thuram, to whom he missed a few centimeters (77th).
Six matches are on the schedule for Saturday, including that of Borussia Dortmund, which will move to the Eintracht Frankfurt pitch at 4.30 p.m. GMT, while on Sunday, RB Leipzig, another title contender, will play on the lawn in Mainz at 1.30 p.m. GMT. .
© 2021 AFP