Online Reporter
MOENCHENGLADBACH. — Leaders Bayern Munich should have scored several more goals in their 1-0 Bundesliga win at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday to kill off the game much earlier, said coach Vincent Kompany.
Bayern had a bagful of chances, including for Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka, in the first half with some 70% possession but had to wait until the 68th minute to break the deadlock courtesy of top scorer Harry Kane’s penalty.
“It is a very difficult away game and we were just back from holidays,” Kompany told a press conference. “If you had the chances we had today you would want to score two or three goals to kill off the game. We never did that.”
The Bavarians had lost five of their previous nine away games at Gladbach, more than against any other team in the same period, but on Saturday the hosts were toothless, especially in the first half. Gladbach did not have a single effort towards goal in a one-sided opening half but Bayern’s players were repeatedly denied by keeper Moritz Nicolas. Nicolas also pulled off a double save late in the game to stop Alphonso Davies’ shot and Serge Gnabry’s header.
“But what I liked was the attitude and mentality to keep fighting,” Kompany said. “In the final 10 minutes things could still happen but we kept our cool. We could again have scored a few more goals but the concentration of the team was really good.”
Bayern are in top spot on 39 points, with champions Leverkusen in second place on 35 after Friday’s 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund.
In Italy, Juventus coach Thiago Motta lamented his side’s performance in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Torino, stressing that there have been “too many draws” after taking the lead in their recent games.
Juventus are unbeaten in their Serie A campaign but have drawn more than any other side in the league, enduring a 12th stalemate in 19 games after Nikola Vlasic cancelled out Juve’s early opener by Kenan Yildiz.
“We started well, but after taking the lead we dropped too deep, allowing them to create chances. We could have been more aggressive or avoided letting them reach that dangerous area,” Motta told reporters. We can do better from the point of view of aggressiveness. We didn’t finish in the right way to win the game. In the locker room we talked about this situation.
“Definitely too many draws, especially after leading games. With a young squad and some injuries. Never an excuse, we’ve lost only two matches in all competitions.”
A depleted Juventus travelled to city rivals Torino without striker Dusan Vlahovic, sidelined with a muscle issue, on top of injuries to key players such as forward Arkadiusz Milik.
However, the Italian manager was pleased as Douglas Luiz returned to the starting eleven after recovering from muscle issues.
“He played very well, I’m very happy with his performance,” he said of the Brazilian midfielder. We need as many fit players in the squad as possible. Right now (left back Andrea) Cambiaso I have to thank him because he is on painkillers so he can give us a hand.” Juventus, fifth in the standings on 33 points, visit second-placed Atalanta tomorrow before they host AC Milan next Saturday. — Reuters.
