FC Bayern Munich beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 in Bundesliga opener

Defending champion Bayern Munich kicked off the new German season with a 3-1 win over visiting Borussia Moenchengladbach in Pep Guardiola's first Bundesliga game on Friday.

Arjen Robben opened the scoring with a deft flick from Franck Ribery's sublime pass in the 12th minute, Mario Mandzukic pounced to make it 2-0 four minutes later, and David Alaba sealed the result with a penalty in the 69th, after Dante's own goal had given his former teammates some hope in the 40th.

Despite the good start, Guardiola was unimpressed with his team after the break.

"In the second half, we had no control. It was counterattack, counterattack, counterattack," Guardiola said. "We need a bit of calm. Important players like Basti (Schweinsteiger) and Javi Martinez need to train more. They haven't trained much in the last two weeks."

Bayern's penalty was the second awarded for handball against the unfortunate Alvaro Dominguez in as many minutes.

Ter Stegen saved Thomas Mueller's effort from the first spot kick, only for Tobias Welz to award another against Dominguez as he tried to clear the rebound, and Alaba made no mistake.

The visitors had started well, moving the ball with confidence and displaying no nerves in front of the European champions. Raffael even back-heeled the ball out of defense and Moenchengladbach forced two corners - before Robben struck.

Ter Stegen's kick-out was gathered by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who found Ribery on the left, and the Frenchman played the ball precisely into Robben's path for the Dutchman to tuck away.

"We made a little mistake and Bayern punished it directly," ter Stegen said.

Mandzukic prodded home from close range after the goalkeeper spilled a free kick, and should have scored again three minutes later, when he headed wide from three meters (yards).

Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer saved Max Kruse's effort as the visitors showed a response on the half-hour mark.

Robben and Ribery - Robbery as they're known affectionately by the Bayern fans - both tried their luck from distance. Ribery was outstanding throughout.

Then Dante stretched for Juan Arango's cross and deflected the ball past Neuer.

"I had a nice time at Moenchengladbach. I have a lot of respect for the club," Dante said. "It can happen, but it shouldn't happen. I've to keep the head high for the next game."

Bayern looked dangerous again after the break, when Robben, Alaba and Mueller all had efforts, before Toni Kroos struck the post.

The visitors might have equalized but Alaba's penalty put the game beyond reach.

"After it was 2-1 we noticed that there was still a chance. We did well. We showed we were up for it," Moenchengladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said. "You can lose against Bayern."

Guardiola said he still needs more time to work with the team he inherited from Jupp Heynckes.

"But at a big club like Bayern there is no time," he said. "We need a bit of calm ahead of the next game against Eintracht Frankfurt."