Harry Kane proved to be the match-winner as his composed penalty secured Bayern Munich a narrow 1-0 triumph over Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.
Vincent Kompany’s side looked out of rhythm in the opening half, shaking off the effects of a brief winter break in their return to Bundesliga action.
Despite dominating possession and consistently pressing forward, Bayern struggled to deliver the incisive final ball needed to breach Monchengladbach’s stubborn defense.
Thomas Muller had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock but struck his effort directly at Moritz Nicolas in a one-on-one scenario.
Later, in the 37th minute, referee Felix Zwayer waved off Bayern’s appeals for a handball against Ko Itakura, whose raised hands had blocked the ball while protecting his face.
Monchengladbach shifted gears after halftime, taking the initiative instead of merely defending.
Tim Kleindienst squandered a promising chance in the 56th minute, failing to hit the target from close range after connecting with a cross.
Kompany responded swiftly, substituting Muller for Kingsley Coman, who immediately influenced proceedings.
The Frenchman delivered a cross to Michael Olise at the far post. As Olise attempted to control the ball, Lukas Ullrich clumsily shoved him from behind, prompting a penalty.
Kane stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick with clinical precision, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and calming nerves on the Bayern bench.
The victory was vital for Bayern, restoring their four-point cushion over Bayer Leverkusen, who had closed the gap to one point after defeating Borussia Dortmund on Friday.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Kane, largely subdued for much of the game, rose to the occasion with his decisive penalty.
Although Bayern’s attack struggled to generate clear chances, the England captain delivered when it mattered, ensuring the visitors left with all three points.
Monchengladbach put in a spirited display after the interval but were undone by Ullrich’s costly error, which gifted Bayern the chance to take the lead. Once ahead, the Bavarians expertly managed the game to secure a crucial victory.
Bayern will aim to carry their momentum into Wednesday’s clash against Hoffenheim as they look to strengthen their grip on the top spot.
