Pep Guardiola insists Bayern Munich's shock 2-0 defeat at home to Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday only proves the reigning Bundesliga champions must keep fighting to defend their title.
Bayern suffered only their third defeat of the season in all competitions and their first home defeat as Gladbach’s Brazilian striker Raffael scored both of the team’s goals.
Guardiola’s side still command a 10-point lead at the top of the table with eight games left.
But there was more bad news for Bayern’s head coach as Dutch winger Arjen Robben was forced off in the first-half and taken to hospital with a torn stomach muscle and is expected to miss the next few weeks.
“The injury is just as painful as the defeat,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge with Robben facing a race against time to be fit for their two-legged Champions League quarter-final against FC Porto next month.
The win lifted Lucien Favre’s Gladbach back to third in the table and it was only their third win in Munich in 47 league games, having last won at the Allianz Arena four years ago.
“They barely got into our half before they scored their first goal and it’s not easy to break down a side who pack their defence,” said Guardiola.
“We failed to break down their defence and they counter-attacked superbly, but we did all we could.
“We still have a 10-point lead, but we must fight until the end to defend our title.
“We still have eight games left and we have the chance now to regroup during the international break.”
Raffael, who turns 30 next Saturday, profited from a rare mistake by Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who failed to block the Brazilian’s long-range shot which rolled into the Munich goal with half an hour gone.
Gladbach claimed their second on 77 minutes when Germany midfielder Christoph Kramer squared for Raffael to fire his second past Neuer.
“We missed out on a chance because Wolfsburg drew, but we won’t let that spoil our mood,” lamented Neuer after second-placed Wolfsburg had been earlier held to a surprise 1-1 draw at Mainz.
Bayern’s next league game is a clash at resurgent Borussia Dortmund, who have finished runners-up to Munich for the last two years, on April 4.
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
