Bayern Munich have yet another Der Klassiker to remember. Jupp Heynckes and his men exacted an absolute clean sweep of Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern run rampant through the first half
The Bavarians took full advantage of their visitors during the first 45 minutes. Borussia Dortmund showed a lack of defensive shape and the necessary resolve to go against the current German champions. Bayern Munich played with a swift fluidity during the half, making Dortmund scramble to track back in defense.
Bayern Munich made their first mark on the game five minutes in, admittedly not for a lack of controversy, though. After Thomas Muller received the ball picked off Dortmund possession, the Bayern vice-captain found himself with space and Robert Lewandowski looming. The Polish striker was let loose and slammed home a shot past Roman Burki, despite the Pole looking a touch offside.
With just over 13 minutes in, Bayern earned another. A brilliant play between David Alaba and James Rodriguez saw the Austrian play in a low cross for the Colombian to convert. Things would only get more hectic for Borussia Dortmund defensively.
Less than 10 minutes later, James picked the pocket of Gonzalo Castro in Dortmund’s midfield. Lewandowski ran at the Dortmund back line and gave way to James again. The Colombian lobbed a peach of a cross over to Muller at the far post for the German to coolly finish.
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The next Bayern goal came after a bit of mayhem in the penalty area. Franck Ribery managed to peel off Lukasz Piszczek on the touch line and tripped pulling an attempted pass past Burki. After a scramble, Lewandowski just squeezed a shot into the back of the net.
An eventful first half was capped off with a wonderful piece of magic from Ribery. Coming right off the fourth goal, Bayern came charging back. The veteran Frenchman made a beeline toward goal, and delivered an exquisite chipped shot over Burki, who was left swiping at the air.
Bayern cool down in the second half
The second half took a noticeably cooler tone than the first. Bayern Munich were well in the driver’s seat, and it showed on the pitch. Dortmund continued to show clear trouble of being able to penetrate the Bayern defense.
The tempo was evidently played down, but mostly at Bayern’s will. Die Roten held a consistent shape throughout the second 45. This left Borussia Dortmund, on top of their generally passive approach to the match, struggling to create any convincing and clear-cut chances on goal.
The one event to make note of came in the 86th minute. Just when all was thought to be done for the day, Bayern showed that they were still left hungry. The German giants made their final mark on the game through Robert Lewandowski yet again, with the Pole capping off his personal performance with a hat-trick.
Substitute Joshua Kimmich made his way down the right flank and played a great one-two with Thomas Muller, who gave a cheeky back-heel pass. Kimmich picked up the ball and slid a low pass across the face of goal, making it difficult for Roman Burki to deal with. Lewandowski was there at the end of it to calmly tap home and finish the game off.
Next: Bayern Munich decimate Borussia Dortmund -- Player grades
Champions League ahead
Jupp Heynckes and co. can be satisfied for a more than well-deserved victory against one of their biggest domestic rivals. Now, however, their attention turns to arguably the biggest club competition. The reigning German champions now have a taller ask ahead, taking on Sevilla away in the Champions League on April 3rd. Bayern will make sure to give rest to those slated to start in the first leg of the quarter-finals.