Robert Lewandowski failed to find the back of the net as Bayern Munich received a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bayern Munich crashed out of the DFB-Pokal in a humiliating fashion after they suffered a thumping 5-0 defeat at the hands of Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.
It was a disastrous outing for the German Rekordmeister, who were starting the game with their strongest possible eleven. But they were completely swept aside by a motivated Gladbach troop that offered early pressure on the ball carriers. They also struggled to breach the holes of a vulnerable Gladbach backline.
After initially scoring the opener through Kouadio Kone, Gladbach could have scored three more inside the first ten minutes. Fortunately for them, they continued to create goalscoring opportunities, with their attacking players showing great conviction. As a result, the Foals wound up scoring three goals in the first half.
Contrary to what the fans had hoped for, Bayern Munich failed to orchestrate a comeback in the second half. They were wasteful in front of goal, and spirits were soon thrashed after a 51st minute goal from Breel Embolo. The Swiss international went on to score another before the hour mark to drop the final hammer blow for Bayern. Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will now run the rule over the Bayern Munich players in their humiliating defeat to Gladbach.
Manuel Neuer: 7/10
Manuel Neuer was one of the lone bright sparks in an otherwise dire night for Bayern Munich players. The experienced goalkeeper did concede five goals, but his series of excellent saves was vital in preventing his team from conceding at least nine goals at Borussia Park on Wednesday.
1978 – Bayern Munich have lost a game by at least a five-goal margin for the first time since December 1978, 43 years ago, against Fortuna Düsseldorf in Bundesliga (1-7). Stupefaction. #BMGFCB pic.twitter.com/hqaT5D1czf
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 27, 2021
Benjamin Pavard: 3/10
Benjamin Pavard was unconvincing in fending off the threat from the Gladbach attackers. He was very incompetent in the defensive side of things while inviting pressure on the ball. It is not the first time the Frenchman has struggled under severe pressure from intense opponents.
Dayot Upamecano: 1/10
Dayot Upamecano was by far the worst performer for Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The former RB Leipzig star had trouble seeing off the threat of Breel Embolo. He was outmuscled on multiple occasions and was directly culpable for conceding at least two of the five Gladbach goals.
Lucas Hernandez: 2/10
Lucas Hernandez was a bit better than Upamecano when it came to personal duels. However, the Frenchman lacked communication with his teammates at the back. A vital flaw allowed Gladbach attackers to pile on the pressure and cause all kinds of problems going forward.
Alphonso Davies: 4/10
Back into the starting eleven after a brief spell out injured, Alphonso Davies had a rough time defending Jonas Hofmann. The German’s intensity marred the left-back’s influence on the proceedings. He was also unable to use his pace to good effect and bombard the flanks, as he was defended well by Joe Scally.
Joshua Kimmich: 6/10
Joshua Kimmich found it difficult to take control of the game due to Gladbach’s intense pressing. The German international settled down once the Foals got a bit tired, orchestrating play and becoming a useful hub in the middle of the park. However, it was not enough to make a difference, as the midfielder was not offered any time or space to find that breakthrough pass.
Stindl giving the ball back when Kimmich passed to him coming on the pitch & Sommer telling the ref that it was a corner and not a goal kick just shows that even Gladbach is feeling bad for Bayern & that's embarrasing. ?
— Madara (@Bayern_Graphics) October 27, 2021
Leon Goretzka: 3/10
While Kimmich took his time, Leon Goretzka did not settle into the pace of the game at all. He looked timid in possession, conceding multiple turnovers that often led to dangerous counter-attacks. The former Schalke prodigy was rightly replaced around the hour mark.
Serge Gnabry: 3/10
Serge Gnabry looked woeful, to say the least, especially during the first half of the game. He looked startled by the manic Gladbach press that gave him very little time in possession. The German international looked wasteful in front of goal as well, and was deservedly taken off midway through the second half.
Thomas Muller: 3/10
Thomas Muller endured a difficult and rather unfortunate evening. He was barely involved in the proceedings while missing some good chances to score the goal. He notably blocked a goal-bound effort from a Bayern player later in the second half. Simply a bad day at the office.
Leroy Sane: 5/10
Leroy Sane provided the occasional spark in the Bayern Munich attack. He looked confident when taking on players but often got isolated. Adi Hutter’s men deserve a lot of credit for doubling down on Sane whenever possible, making it difficult for him to create chances in the final third.
Robert Lewandowski: 4/10
It was one of those nights for Robert Lewandowski, where things did not go according to plan at all. To Gladbach’s credit, the Pole was defended really well by the two centre-backs, denying him even the single customary goalscoring opportunity. It led to him failing to trouble Yann Sommer in goal.
2 – FC Bayern have missed the round of last 16 in DFB-Pokal for the second time in a row – the last time they had missed consecutive rounds of last 16 was in 1994-95 (against Vestenbergsgreuth) and 1995-96 (against Düsseldorf). Over. #BMGFCB pic.twitter.com/T2pBOKKg80
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) October 27, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Niklas Sule: 5/10
Niklas Sule certainly offered more solidity in the Bayern defence after coming on for Upamecano around the 55th minute mark, although he was not able to stop Embolo from scoring his second.
Kingsley Coman: 5.5/10
Kingsley Coman produced an inspiring display out wide. His pace and trickery were useful in taking on the tired Gladbach full-backs. The Frenchman, though, was undone by a lack of end product.
Corentin Tolisso: 4/10
Corentin Tolisso missed a great scoring opportunity to pull one back for Bayern Munich late in the game.
Josip Stanisic: 5/10
Josip Stanisic came on to offer more defensive support to the centre-backs. Wasted a good opportunity as well.
