Bayern thrash Gladbach 4-1 to continue dominant Bundesliga form

Leaders Bayern Munich continued their dominant Bundesliga form with a 4-1 thrashing of Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday.

Lennart Karl's goal in the 10th minute was ruled out for offside, but Bayern eventually took the lead in the 33rd, after Luis Diaz volleyed home a delightful chipped assist from Leon Goretzka.

The Bavarians doubled their advantage shortly before the break, after Konrad Laimer recovered the ball in Gladbach's half. Laimer himself completed the counterattack, hammering the ball into the net.

Things went from bad to worse to Gladbach when Rocco Reitz brought down Nicolas Jackson inside the box and saw a red card.

Jamal Musiala converted the resulting penalty in the 57th, scoring his first goal since returning from a horrible injury at the Club World Cup last summer. His last goal had come in April 2025.

Karl didn't get a goal, but was completely free on the right to serve Jackson, who slotted the low cross past the line to complete the win.

Before the final whistle, substitute Wael Mohya pulled one back for Gladbach to become the club's youngest ever goalscorer at 17 years old.

Bayern now have a whooping 14-point lead ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who visit Cologne on Saturday.

"We played very confidently today. Of course, we're annoyed about the last goal, because we lost concentration for a moment. That shouldn't happen to us. Otherwise, we played very confidently," Goretzka told broadcaster Sky.

Musiala, meanwhile, also celebrated the first time he played a full match since returning from injury.

"My feet are a bit tired, but it feels good. I'm happy. It was a big responsibility to take the penalty, but I trust myself," he said.

Harry Kane is usually in charge of taking spot-kicks but he was sidelined due to a calf injury.

The game marked the return of captain Manuel Neuer, who had missed the previous two league matches due to a torn muscle fibre.

Gladbach are 12th but only three points above the relegation zone.

"It's no shame to lose 4-1 here, but it's unpleasant. Until the break, anything was still possible," defender Nico Elvedi said.