Bayern Munich edge a thrilling Der Klassiker

On Matchday 14 of the Bundesliga, FC Bayern Munich was hosted by Borussia Dortmund in the battle for first place. Coming into this rivalry match, Bayern were sitting atop the Bundesliga table- just one point above Dortmund. However, as this Der Klassiker drew to an end, Bayern found themselves catapulted ahead by four points as they went on to win 3-2.

This match brought us the best half of Bundesliga football we’ve seen all season so far. The two best teams in Germany went toe to toe throughout 90 minutes.

Dortmund started the game off strong with an early goal in the fifth minute. Quickly playing off of a drop ball, Jude Bellingham charged down the left side of the field to deliver a cross into the attacking midfielder Julian Brandt. From there, Brandt used his skill to take on Alphonso Davies with a fake shot, leaving him open in front of goal for the finish.

However, Bayern quickly answered just four minutes later with a brilliant Robert Lewandowski goal in the ninth minute. The play started with Thomas Muller intercepting a clearance from Dortmund defender Mats Hummels. Running at goal, wrestling for the ball, Muller was able to touch the ball forward to Lewandowski who did the rest, smashing it into the bottom right of the goal.

Around the 28th minute, Erling Haaland finally introduced himself to the game with an excellent chance. Charging down the field, one-on-one with Upamecano, Haaland fired a shot across the penalty box which narrowly skimmed past the outside of the goal post. This was Dortmund’s biggest opportunity to take the lead once again.

Right before the close of the first half, a Kingsley Coman goal put Bayern ahead in the 44th minute. Another goal set up from Dortmund’s Mats Hummels in which his failed clearance fell perfectly to the feet of Coman to send a rocket into the back of the net.

After what must have been quite a half-time talk, Dortmund came out in the second half fast and fiery. Erling Haaland tied the game back up just three minutes into the half. An unlucky deflection from Upamecano fell to Jude Bellingham, who easily found a wide-open Haaland to score with an immaculate finish into the top right corner.

The excitement of the game ceased when a collision between Upamecano and Brandt left Brandt unconscious in the middle of the pitch. After a good bit of time, the medical staff was able to remove Brandt safely out of the game on a stretcher, in which he looked to be in stable condition.

The rest of the game seemed to fizzle out until a penalty was awarded to Bayern. A VAR review revealed a handball from Mats Hummels took the ball out of play right in front of the goal. This 77th-minute penalty was fired in by none other than Robert Lewandowski for his second of the game, giving Bayern the lead once more.

After a total of 10 minutes of stoppage time, the game drew to an end, seeing Bayern Munich taking home the 3-2 victory. In Bayern’s next game, they will look to have a strong close to their Champions League group stage in their game against Barcelona on Dec. 8.