FC Bayern: Gladbach fights a draw – and climate activists protest

Borussia Mönchengladbach has once again proven itself to be a Bayern specialist and has at least given the entire Bundesliga some hope. The guests around the goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who had been holding gigantic for a long time, fought a 1-1 (1-0) in the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening. Marcus Thuram (43rd) scored after a blackout from Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano for a surprising half-time lead for Gladbach.

A protest action by climate activists of the “last generation” caused a stir. In the early stages, the stadium stewards of the Allianz Arena led people off the field who had run to the goals scored by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Yann Sommer. It seemed as if they wanted to attach themselves to the goalposts.

Bayern need 83 minutes for a goal

In a press release, the “Last Generation” wrote that this happened “to make it clear that the impending climate collapse will not stop at the Germans’ favorite sport”. According to the information, five people were involved, including three 20-year-olds. Sky commentator Wolff-Christoph Fuss had read the lettering on the clothing (“Stop the fossil madness”) during the incident.

Whether the action was the reason that Bayern needed until the 83rd minute before the strong Leroy Sané scored with a well-placed left-footed shot from Jamal Musiala and saved a draw is difficult to determine. But the 75,000 spectators in the sold-out Allianz Arena couldn’t believe their eyes for a long time. Bayern seemed to beat themselves – in the back with a capital blackout by Upamecano when conceding a goal. And up front, the 15-goal machine faltered in the first three matchdays, the ball just couldn’t find its way into the goal – until Sané struck.

A highlight was the 61st minute, when star striker Sadio Mané failed twice free-standing in the seemingly invincible summer. Before the break, the Senegalese were denied two offside goals by video evidence (34th/39th minute). It was almost surreal how Daniel Farke’s hard-fighting Gladbachers initially withstood Bayern’s assault.

Upamencano with a big dropout

Before the game, there was a lot of talk about whether Gladbach were a “fear of opponents” for Bayern because of their good recent record against the record champions, including last year’s 5-0 cup gala. “The answer will be there on Saturday evening,” Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Friday, adding: “Our players are not afraid of any opponent, not even Gladbach.”

That’s how they played – but then defensive giant Upamecano made a serious mistake. The 23-year-old Frenchman, whom Nagelsmann preferred in defense to new signing Matthijs de Ligt, had one of those dropouts that had cast doubts on him last season. After a throw-in, Gladbach’s Jörg Kramer hit the ball up and forward from his own half. Upamecano wanted to clear it easily, missed the ball – and Thuram irresistibly stormed towards the Bayern goal. The Frenchman also overcame the helpless national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. “Catastrophic mistake”, judged record national player Lothar Matthäus as a Sky expert. The scene turned the game upside down and meant Bayern’s first deficit of the season.

After the break, Bayern stormed towards their fans, who first celebrated with a spectacular choreography and later with a lot of smoking pyrotechnics for “50 Years of the South Curve”. There was chance after chance and shot after shot – and umpteen summer parades. Nagelsmann drew all the jokers, brought Serge Gnabry and Musiala, who was still slightly injured, and promptly prepared the Sané goal.