TNT Sports
Bayern start well
By
Published 05/08/2005 at 23:33 GMT+1
Down to 10 men for the entire second half, champions Bayern Munich began their German title defence with a 3-0 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday. Dutchman Roy Makaay settled the tie with two goals in the 86th and 89th minutes of a match which Bayern had dominated in their new stadium.
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A turbulent first half had produced a well-taken Owen Hargreaves goal from a Roque Santa Cruz lay-back in the 28th minute and a second yellow card for new signing Valerien Ismael two minutes from halftime.
Ismael, a new arrival from Werder Bremen, was deservedly booked for his first challenge, but the French central defender was unlucky to get his marching orders later after a light pull on Moenchengladbach striker Oliver Neuville's shirt.
Outnumbered Bayern pressed in the second half and Hargreaves found Santa Cruz free, but the Paraguayan struck the post.
The two were among Bayern's best performers on the night against a Moenchengladbach side that had two clear chances to equalise -- a goal-mouth scramble in the 59th minute and a run-through on the left and shot against the post from the impressive Marcell Jansen 20 minutes later.
"Until 2-0 the game was open. We needed to defend well. The 10 did very well. If we'd been 11 I think the fans would have had less cause to worry," said Bayern coach Felix Magath.
Shouting orders
Horst Koeppel, Moenchengladbach's coach, said he felt his side could have come away with a draw.
"It was on a knife-edge. We had the chance to equalise... the 3-0 rather flattered them."
Makaay made the difference with clinical finishing, but he was put clear by fine midfield work -- a perfect lobbed pass from Jens Jeremies for his first and a tackle and through-ball from Martin Demichelis for his second.
"I have to thank those behind me," said Makaay.
Some 66,000 packed into Munich's spectacular new stadium, its giant tyre shape glowing red on the outside. The home fans, far closer to the pitch than in the old Olympic stadium with its running track, roared Bayern on throughout the first Bundesliga match.
"It was something different. It is a different atmosphere. It brings more motivation and is good for the team," said goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn. "There's no sense shouting orders from the back as the players can't hear."
The Bundesliga's other sides feature in matches on Saturday and Sunday.
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