Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v Borussia Moenchengladbach - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - February 3, 2024 Bayern Munich's Harry Kane in action with Borussia Moenchengladbach's Marvin Friedrich REUTERS/Leonhard Simon
MUNICH (Reuters) -Champions Bayern Munich came from a goal down to beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 in the Bundesliga on Saturday and stay on the heels of leaders Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their league clash next week.
The Bavarians, who scored three times after Gladbach took a first-half lead, moved to 50 points in second place, two behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen ahead of their summit clash next week.
The result also earned a new record for Bayern's veteran attacking midfielder Thomas Mueller who notched his 500th victory in all competitions for the club, the first Bayern player to reach that mark.
"A very important win and we knew it would be hard," said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel. "We had huge chances to take the lead but we failed to do it. Then they scored. But we showed a good reaction.
"It was hugely important to win this match. We have 50 points, showed a great reaction to falling behind so it is very positive."
The visitors stunned Bayern by taking a 35th-minute lead against the run of play. Mueller lost possession and Gladbach launched a quick three-pass move before Nico Elvedi beat keeper Manuel Neuer.
The Bavarians, who had missed a slew of chances to Harry Kane and Leroy Sane, levelled on the stroke of halftime through teenager Aleksandar Pavlovic who scored for the second week in a row.
The hosts' comeback was complete in the 70th minute when Kane headed in from close range after a mistake by the Gladbach keeper.
The England captain, who became the Bundesliga's most expensive signing after joining from Tottenham Hotspur for a record 100 million euros, has now bagged 24 goals in Bayern's 20 league games this season.
Matthijs de Ligt drilled in a header to seal the three points but Bayern defender Alphonso Davies left the pitch injured late in the game.
"Phonzy twisted his knee. We will have to wait and see. I really have no words if this happens again," Tuchel said in reference to Bayern's recent injuries. "Especially now that he's getting back in form."
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Ed Osmond)
