Returning from the league’s winter break, few knew what to expect from both Gladbach and Bayern. Looking to regain their crown, it was the visitors who started the stronger, and they manufactured a glorious opportunity to take the lead midway through the first half.
Some dogged determination from 35-year-old Thomas Muller saw him win the ball back in the final third, and after his teasing delivery was only partially cleared, Leon Goretzka incredibly blazed high and wide from just six yards out.
The striker then turned provider soon after when Müller ghosted into the area to latch onto Joshua Kimmich’s inch-perfect delivery, only to see his effort kept out by a stunning Moritz Nicolas save from point-blank range.
The Bavarian side felt a little hard done by going into the break, as they believed they should’ve had a penalty when Rocco Reitz blocked a teammate's attempted clearance with his hands, which were above his head, but the referee and VAR, agreed it wasn’t enough to award a penalty.
Gladbach didn’t have a single shot in the first half, but they created the best chance of the game within five minutes of the restart. This time, Reitz was involved for the right reasons, whipping a teasing ball into the back post for the unmarked Tim Kleindienst, who somehow powered his header over from a matter of yards.
They were made to pay in typically harsh fashion by the Bavarian giants too.
There was a touch of fortune in how their opener came about, as minimal contact from Lukas Ullrich in the area saw Michael Olise go to ground inside the area, allowing the effervescent Harry Kane to finish with aplomb from the resulting penalty.
The hosts were always likely to need something special to get back into the game, but they almost found an unlikely leveller when another cross yielded a golden opportunity, this time for Nico Elvedi, who headed inches over the bar.
Bayern spurned two glorious opportunities to wrap up the game in the dying moments, but ultimately one goal was enough to win the game for a side who have scored more Bundesliga goals than any other club this season.
Victory restores Bayern’s four-point lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while Gladbach remain 10th.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)