Bayern Munich leaves it late to clinch victory against Borussia Dortmund on matchday 24 of the Bundesliga. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Leon Goretzka scored goals to help the German Champions to clinch 4-2 win after going two goals down in the first half, while Erling Braut Haaland was on the scoresheet for Dortmund.
Hansi Flick made two changes to the starting lineup that featured in the victory against FC Koln last week. Kingsley Coman and Thomas Muller replaced Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the attack, respectively. Niklas Sule continued in the right-back position since Benjamin Pavard needs more time to recover.
Meanwhile, there was a flurry of changes for Borussia Dortmund from last weekend’s victory against Arminia Bielefeld. In the defense, Dan-Axel Zagadou partnered Mats Hummels instead of Emre Can. Thomas Meunier and Nico Schulz started in the fullback positions instead of Mateu Morey and Raphael Guerreiro. Jude Bellingham was replaced by Thomas Delaney and Can was moved into central midfield. Thorgan Hazard replaced injured Jadon Sancho in the attack.
The home side was stunned in the second minute as Haaland hammered a shot past Manuel Neuer from the edge of the box. The move started from a hopeful cross from Meunier that was not cleared properly by Die Roten defenders. Thomas Delaney won the second ball and slipped it in the path of Haaland. The Norwegian striker released the shot quickly before the center-backs could close him down.
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Die Roten was all over the place in the first ten minutes as Dortmund looked threatening on the break. Things went from bad to worse for hosts as the visitors scored the second goal on the break. After a clever switch of play from the right flank to find Schulz in acres of space. The German full-back slid a clever pass to Hazard before the Belgian winger squared it for a simple tap-in for Haaland.
After a calamitous first ten minutes, Bayern fought back and started controlling the game. They did look vulnerable at the back, but chances were consistently created in the final third. Sane found Lewandowski with a brilliant cross to bring Die Roten back in the game. The Polish striker doubled his tally late in the game when Dahoud brought down Coman in the box. Lewandowski slotted the penalty calmly to set up a blockbuster second half.
The second half also had a chaotic start as the first one. Hazard had a brilliant chance to give Dortmund the lead, but his venomous shot on the volley hit the side netting. The German Champions got a chance at the other end as Marwin Hitz spill a long-range shot from Kimmich. Coman was close to scoring on the rebound before Hitz collected the ball.
Die Roten kept on piling the pressure on Dortmund throughout the first half. They were relentless while building attack after attack. Meanwhile, the visitors were in no mood to wilt under the pressure as they defended resolutely before the mad end to the game.
Goretzka finally broke Dortmund’s resolve by hammering a failed clearance from Meunier to score Bayern’s third goal on the night in the 88th minute. Lewandowski followed up this breakthrough goal from Goretzka in the 90th minute to seal the result for the German Champions.
By delivering a dominant performance after a horrific ten-minute spell in the first half, Rekordmeister showed the Champions character. Flick will be thrilled with this result as it helps Die Roten to maintain a lead of three points over RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga table.
"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerSule-Boateng-Alaba-DaviesKimmich-GoretzkaSane-Muller-ComanLewandowskiSubstitutes: Hoffmann, Gnabry (↓Coman (66′)), Martinez (↓Boateng (70′)), Choupo-Moting (↓Muller (90′)), Sarr, Hernandez (↓Sane (90′)), Roca, Dantas, MusialaBorussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1)HitzMeunier-Hummels-Zagadou-SchulzCan-DelaneyReus-Dahoud-HazardHaalandSubstitutes: Burki, Morey (↓Zagadou (70′)), Moukoko, Brandt (↓Hazard (60′)), Reinier (↓Reus (77′)), Bellingham (↓Delaney (70′)), Piszczek, Tigges (↓Haaland (60′)), Passlack"