Julian Nagelsmann was pleased with his team’s efforts despite Bayern Munich losing 2-1 at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in the first Bundesliga game after the winter break.
A superb opener from Robert Lewandowski – who was nominated for the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2021 award earlier on Friday – was canceled out before half-time by Foals duo Florian Neuhaus and Stefan Lainer, with the league leaders unable to respond in the second half.
Bayern were without several key players through COVID-19 and injuries, including Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, Leon Goretzka, Alphonso Davies, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane, but Nagelsmann still believed his team deserved something from the game.
Speaking after the defeat, the 34-year-old told reporters: “We were actually closer to winning than Gladbach were.
“Considering the situation, we did very well in the first 25 minutes, we should have been up by more. The way we conceded the equalizer was complete madness, I don’t know why we wanted to do that in the box like that, and then we conceded from another set-piece.
“In the second half we played decently and had lots of chances. Unlike in the cup game, we didn’t deserve to lose today.”
Although Nagelsmann was still able to name a relatively strong starting line-up, Bayern’s bench was practically unrecognizable, filled with youngsters, including the debuting Paul Wanner.
Source: LS
