AE Sports

Götze shows class, as Bayern humble Borussia Mönchengladbach

Bayern Munich have come charging out of the blocks against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the first game after the Bundesliga’s winter break. They disposed of their disappointing hosts 2-0 with minimum fuss.

The Bavarians dominated from the kick-off on Friday, and got the first goal in the seventh minute through Mario Götze.

Bayern continued to dominate the home side for the next half hour – but Gladbach played too passively, sometimes looking resigned to the depressing task of containing Pep Guardiola’s men as best they could.

Gladbach began the second half with a more determined look about them, but just as in the first period they were undone by Bayern’s first attack of the half. With just eight minutes gone, Götze once again brought chaos to the Gladbach penalty area, but he and several other forwards failed to make their efforts count as an almighty scramble unfolded.

Finally Gladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka did the Bavarians a favor by foolishly flinging his arm at the ball as it came across his chest, conceding a penalty. Thomas Müller spanked it in from the spot with disdain to get his eighth of the season and double the champions’ lead.