Bundesliga title race: Chance for Borussia Dortmund to close the gap as Bayern lose to Gladbach

Borussia Dortmund will have the opportunity to go level on points with Bayern Munich on Sunday after the Bavarians were handed a 3-2 defeat by Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Bayern Munich suffered their first defeat of 2023 on Saturday as they were beaten by Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Foals delivered an exceptional counter-attacking performance to blow the Bundesliga title race wide open.

Bayern’s hopes of getting the three points received a big blow early on as they went down to ten men in the eighth minute. Dayot Upamecano was sent off for a foul on Alassane Pléa after the Gladbach forward had gone through on goal.

It did not take long for Gladbach to make the most of their man advantage. Lars Stindl fired home the opening goal for the home side after a brilliantly worked free-kick routine.

Bayern responded really well to going behind, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting brought them back on level terms in the 35th minute. But Gladbach restored their lead ten minutes after the start of the second half. Former Borussia Dortmund winger Jonas Hofmann tucked home from 12 yards out after brilliantly winning the ball back on the edge of the box.

Marcus Thuram then added a third for the Foals after being set up by Hofmann. Mathys Tel pulled a goal back for Bayern late on, but Gladbach managed to see out the win and it was an unhappy return to his former club for Yann Sommer.

The result means that Borussia Dortmund can now go level on points with Bayern Munich when they face Hertha Berlin on Sunday. The Black and Yellows go into the game having won their last seven matches and are currently three points behind the league leaders.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to return to the top of the Bundesliga standings on Sunday. The Berliners are currently one point behind Bayern Munich, and a win over Schalke 04 on Sunday would see them go two points clear.