Munich - FC Bayern München's bid to reclaim the Bundesliga crown got off to a sobering start as a defensive mix-up cost them even a point against age-old rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach.
After investing heavily in the squad over the summer, Jupp Heynckes' bolstered Bayern were expected to steamroller all comers, particularly after the arrivals of Germany internationals Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng at the back. Ironically, it would be those two big-money buys who combined to gift Igor de Camargo the only goal of the game as the Bavarians, not for the first time, failed to exchange their dominance for goals.
Ter Stegen solid
Eager to hit the ground running following the relative disappointment of last season, Bayern began in typical fashion, bossing the possession and probing for a gap in the visitors' defence. Mario Gomez rose well to head a Thomas Müller cross goalwards with seven minutes on the clock, but it was bread and butter for Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Gladbach coped well with the early pressure.
The one-way traffic continued as the half matured, but for all their governance of the ball, Bayern lacked the incisiveness to really cause their guests any major problems. Toni Kroos nonetheless demonstrated his long-range shooting skills with a low drive on 26 minutes which ter Stegen could only gather at the second attempt.
Close proves costly
His opposite number Manuel Neuer showed the crowd exactly why he was voted Germany's Footballer of the Year when he rose to tip Juan Arango's cheeky chip over the bar, but it was only a brief moment of respite as Bayern remained stronger, Bastian Schweinsteiger heading the last of the first-half chances over the bar from Kroos' corner.
The tempo increased markedly after the restart as Bayern resumed their plan of attack. Gomez again began the half with a headed chance, doing everything right to nod Müller's cross towards the near post, but ter Stegen stooped heroically to parry the ball away. Gomez then went even closer by heading a corner smack against the upright minutes later, but close would prove costly as Gladbach took a surprise lead soon after.
De Camargo pounces
Having failed to find a breakthrough for over an hour, the danger of conceding a breakaway was always lurking and almost reared its ugly head when a long Arango free-kick found its way all the way through into the net, only to be disallowed for a nudge by de Camargo on Schweinsteiger. The naturalised Belgian wouldn't be as unfortunate on 62 minutes, though, as another long punt forward left the striker challenging Neuer and Boateng in the air. Bayern's two newbies failed to communicate, allowing de Camargo to get there first and glance into the empty net.
Predictable, the goal brought about increased urgency from the hosts, with Robben, largely nullified thus far, swiftly getting to work on his marker Filip Daems. The Dutchman zipped inside onto his favoured left foot and almost overcame ter Stegen, who did well to save against his momentum. Schweinsteiger saw a similar low strike parried by the impressive Gladbach custodian, and although Müller reacted quickest to head in the rebound, the goal was chalked off due to Gomez' offside position.
Welcome three points
Bayern frantically poured forward in the hope of a late equaliser, but Gladbach continued to hold firm to the frustration of the bumper home crowd. They were left to contemplate a first defeat in 12 games against their great 1970s rivals. Meanwhile the Gladbach contingent in the corner celebrated an unexpected, but very welcome first three points against the German Rekordmeister.
Line-ups:
Mainz: Neuer - Rafinha, Boateng (Petersen 76'), Badstuber, Lahm - Schweinsteiger, Luiz Gustavo - Robben, T. Kroos (Ribery 60'), T. Müller - Gomez
Bayer: ter Stegen - Jantschke (Marx 90'), Brouwers, Dante, Daems - Nordtveit, Neustädter - Reus (Rupp 90+2'), Arango - Hanke (Herrmann 83'), de Camargo
Goals: 0-1 Camargo (62')
Ter Stegen solid
Eager to hit the ground running following the relative disappointment of last season, Bayern began in typical fashion, bossing the possession and probing for a gap in the visitors' defence. Mario Gomez rose well to head a Thomas Müller cross goalwards with seven minutes on the clock, but it was bread and butter for Marc-Andre ter Stegen as Gladbach coped well with the early pressure.
The one-way traffic continued as the half matured, but for all their governance of the ball, Bayern lacked the incisiveness to really cause their guests any major problems. Toni Kroos nonetheless demonstrated his long-range shooting skills with a low drive on 26 minutes which ter Stegen could only gather at the second attempt.
Close proves costly
His opposite number Manuel Neuer showed the crowd exactly why he was voted Germany's Footballer of the Year when he rose to tip Juan Arango's cheeky chip over the bar, but it was only a brief moment of respite as Bayern remained stronger, Bastian Schweinsteiger heading the last of the first-half chances over the bar from Kroos' corner.
The tempo increased markedly after the restart as Bayern resumed their plan of attack. Gomez again began the half with a headed chance, doing everything right to nod Müller's cross towards the near post, but ter Stegen stooped heroically to parry the ball away. Gomez then went even closer by heading a corner smack against the upright minutes later, but close would prove costly as Gladbach took a surprise lead soon after.
De Camargo pounces
Having failed to find a breakthrough for over an hour, the danger of conceding a breakaway was always lurking and almost reared its ugly head when a long Arango free-kick found its way all the way through into the net, only to be disallowed for a nudge by de Camargo on Schweinsteiger. The naturalised Belgian wouldn't be as unfortunate on 62 minutes, though, as another long punt forward left the striker challenging Neuer and Boateng in the air. Bayern's two newbies failed to communicate, allowing de Camargo to get there first and glance into the empty net.
Predictable, the goal brought about increased urgency from the hosts, with Robben, largely nullified thus far, swiftly getting to work on his marker Filip Daems. The Dutchman zipped inside onto his favoured left foot and almost overcame ter Stegen, who did well to save against his momentum. Schweinsteiger saw a similar low strike parried by the impressive Gladbach custodian, and although Müller reacted quickest to head in the rebound, the goal was chalked off due to Gomez' offside position.
Welcome three points
Bayern frantically poured forward in the hope of a late equaliser, but Gladbach continued to hold firm to the frustration of the bumper home crowd. They were left to contemplate a first defeat in 12 games against their great 1970s rivals. Meanwhile the Gladbach contingent in the corner celebrated an unexpected, but very welcome first three points against the German Rekordmeister.
Line-ups:
Mainz: Neuer - Rafinha, Boateng (Petersen 76'), Badstuber, Lahm - Schweinsteiger, Luiz Gustavo - Robben, T. Kroos (Ribery 60'), T. Müller - Gomez
Bayer: ter Stegen - Jantschke (Marx 90'), Brouwers, Dante, Daems - Nordtveit, Neustädter - Reus (Rupp 90+2'), Arango - Hanke (Herrmann 83'), de Camargo
Goals: 0-1 Camargo (62')
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