Guardiola: Victory will give Bayern confidence

The 42-year-old is happy to have his first Bundesliga win under his belt, but knows there is work to be done moving forward

Pep Guardiola is pleased with Bayern Munich’s 3-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach and hopes it will inspire confidence in the new Bundesliga season.

The opening day win comes nearly two weeks after they suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup, despite enjoying a dominant pre-season in the rest of their matches.

The Spaniard believes they have some work to do before they can get back into their groove but predicted that improved performances will come with competitive game time.

“We knew it would be a tough match,” he told reporters. “It’s always hard work against Monchengladbach.

“We had no control over the match in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

“We’re satisfied with this first victory, but we need a couple more wins to build up our confidence.”

The Bavarians next face a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on August 17, looking to build on the opening day victory at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Monchengladbach: Bavarians battle to victory in Bundesliga opener

Bayern Munich kicked off their Bundesliga defence with a hugely entertaining 3-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday.


The Bavarians began in style and quickfire goals from Arjen Robben and Mario Mandzukic ensured Pep Guardiola’s reign retained the element of domination that Jupp Heynckes had fashioned throughout last season’s treble success.

A Dante own-goal just before half-time ensured that the Allianz Arena tie remained in the balance and Lucien Favre’s men came out fighting after the break and threatened to equalise on a number of occasions.

However, Alvaro Dominguez conceded two penalties in the space of two minutes – both handballs – and, though Thomas Muller saw the first brilliantly saved by Marc Andre ter Stegen, David Alaba smoothly converted the second attempt in the 69th minute to put to bed any comeback from the visitors.

In Guardiola’s first Bundesliga game, he was forced to leave out two of the club’s close-season acquisitions with Mario Gotze still recovering from injury and Thiago Alcantara suffering from illness.

Recent signings Christoph Kramer, Raffael and Max Kruse started for the visitors, with Lucien Favre having led his side to a draw and victory in their previous two visits to the Allianz Arena.

Gladbach were put on the back foot immediately as Bayern swarmed forward in the early stages, and the hosts were rewarded for their pressure in the 12th minute.

Franck Ribery lofted a well-executed pass over the top of the visitors’ defence, with Robben racing onto the ball and prodding the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.

Bayern’s dominance was reinforced just four minutes later as Mandzukic double his side’s lead, pouncing on a rebound after Ter Stegen had kept Ribery out from Robben’s free-kick from the right.

Favre’s side still managed to force chances with Manuel Neuer forced into a smart reflexes stop by Raffael, but struggled to contain the constant wide threat of Ribery and Robben.

However, Gladbach were given a route back into the game, shortly before the break thanks to a Dante own-goal.

Juan Arango played the ball across the Bayern goal from the left flank with Dante poking past Neuer as the keeper came to claim the ball just behind him.

Ter Stegen was then forced into two wonderful saves to keep the score at 2-1, first tipping a Toni Kroos effort before denying Mandzukic’s header from the resulting corner.

The second half began frantically, with Kruse having two good opportunities to equalise within 11 minutes.

Kroos then hit Ter Stegen’s left-hand post from long range after 59 minutes before Bayern got the crucial breakthrough in a crazy three-minute period.

Alvaro Dominguez handled the ball in the box in the 66th minute but Muller saw his effort saved. However, bizarrely, Dominguez handled the ball again immediately after Ter Stegen’s save and a second penalty was awarded.

Alaba took over duties and scored to restore Bayern’s their two-goal lead, in the strangest of circumstances.

Despite the blow of conceding the third goal, Gladbach still threatened in the remainder of the game, the bright Kruse just being smothered by Dante as he raced towards goal.

However, they were unable to breach the hosts’ defence and threaten a comeback, as Bayern took all three points against their opponents, just as they did in the final game of last season at Borussia Park.

Javi Martinez happy to play centre-back

The Spain international may well have to adapt to a new role under Pep Guardiola but does not believe he will have any issues in dropping back into defence

Javi Martinez insists he is comfortable with the prospect of playing as a centre-back for Bayern Munich this season.

The 24-year-old joined the Bavarians from Athletic Bilbao last summer and starred as a holding midfielder as Bayern won the treble under Jupp Heynckes.

But with Pep Guardiola now in charge at the Allianz Arena and seemingly set to implement a new system, with Thiago Alcantara in a central midfield role, Martinez may have to get used to operating in defence – something he says he would have no problem with.

He told Marca: “I have no preference. Maybe I prefer midfield but central areas suit me and maybe I can improve as a player in defence.”

Bayern have enjoyed a largely positive pre-season under their new coach, but were beaten by Borussia Dortmund in the German Supercup.

And as they prepare to open their Bundesliga campaign against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday, Martinez stressed the need for patience while the FCB squad adapt to Guardiola’s new style of play.

“It was a good wake-up call (defeat to Dortmund),” he added. “It will not be like last season, in this league there is so much rivalry and if we do not give 100% against everyone then anybody can win.

“Last year we were superior in every game but this year all of Europe have strengthened well and it will be very hard for us to repeat it.

With Pep are new ideas, he has to mould us and we have to get used to him. Slowly we are getting there and any change is an adjustment period. Soon you will see the result.”

Bayern have reinforced their squad with the signings of Mario Gotze and Thiago over the summer, while defenders Jan Kirchhoff and Mitchell Weiser have also arrived from Mainz and Kaiserslautern respectively.

Thiago and Isco named in youthful Spain squad

Vicente del Bosque has handed call-ups to the star men from La Roja’s European Under-21 Championship-winning side

Thiago Alcantara is one of five Under-21 internationals named in Spain’s squad to face Ecuador on Wednesday.

The Bayern Munich man is joined by Inigo Martinez, Koke, Isco and Cristian Tello in the senior setup – with the quintet all part of the side who were victorious at the recent Under-21 European Championship.

Ecuador are Spain’s first opponents since losing the final of the Confederations Cup to Brazil in June and Vicente del Bosque has decided to use the opportunity to have a look at his future options.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, Real Sociedad’s Martinez and Barcelona’s Tello will all meet up with the national team for the first time, while Isco and Thiago will collect their second and fourth caps respectively if selected.

Tello signed an extended contract at Camp Nou last week and was delighted to be selected.

He told Sport : “I’m the happiest man in the world. Not only I have renewed (with Barca), but I have also been summoned to the (Spain) senior team. For me it is a dream come true. I’ve been my whole life waiting for this moment.

“I’ve heard while on my way to training through the Twitter of the Spanish Federation. It has been a great surprise.”

There is no place in the squad for Manchester United’s David de Gea, Barcelona midfielder Xavi or Atletico Madrid striker David Villa.

Full Spain squad:

Name Club
Goalkeepers:  
Iker Casillas Real Madrid
Pepe Reina Napoli
Victor Valdes Barcelona
Defenders:  
Alvaro Arbeloa  Real Madrid
Cesar Azpilicueta  Chelsea
Inigo Martinez  Real Sociedad
Raul Albiol  Napoli
Sergio Ramos  Real Madrid
Jordi Alba  Barcelona
Midfielders  
Javi Martinez  Bayern Munich
Santi Cazorla  Arsenal
Andres Iniesta  Barcelona
Isco  Real Madrid
Thiago Alcantara  Bayern Munich
Koke  Atletico Madrid
Cesc Fabregas  Barcelona
Attackers:  
David Silva  Manchester City
Jesus Navas  Manchester City
Alvaro Negredo  Manchester City
Fernando Llorente  Juventus
Cristian Tello  Barcelona

Bayern are ready for everything, says Favre

The Gladbach trainer expects a difficult encounter at the Allianz Arena and has nothing but praise for Pep Guardiola

Borussia Monchengladbach coach Lucian Favre is eagerly anticipating Friday’s Bundesliga opener against Bayern Munich but admits his side will find it tough to find a way to breach the Bavarians’ armour.

Gladbach were beaten 5-1 by Bayern in a friendly earlier this summer and, although Favre acknowledges a competitive fixture is a very different proposition, he has warned the rest of Germany’s top flight that Pep Guardiola’s side are ready to cope with any threat this season.

“Let’s not forget it was only a friendly, but hurting Bayern will be tough, not only for us, for every team. You can certainly come up with good ideas, but Bayern are ready for everything,” Favre was quoted as saying on the official Bayern website.

“I look forward to every Bundesliga match. It’s a fantastic league. You play top teams every weekend and the stadiums are always full. But it’s very special to be starting against Bayern. We know all about it – it was the same two years ago.”

The Gladbach boss went on to discuss the arrival of Guardiola at Bayern and had nothing but praise for the Spaniard.

“A coach of this calibre coming to Germany is very special indeed. By signing him, Bayern have pulled off a real coup,” he said. “It’s fantastic and significant for the Bundesliga to have a man like Pep Guardiola coaching here. The whole world is watching. It’s good for everyone.”