Bayern Munich have been one of the best teams in Europe this season. They maintain their 100% winning record this campaign by clinching a 2-1 win against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Courtesy of the win on Saturday, Bayern Munich opened up a lead of seven points over Dortmund, and five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga points table.
Vincent Kompany was forced to make a crucial change in the attack since Serge Gnabry was ruled out for the game due to adductor problems. Nicolas Jackson replaced the German forward. The Senegalese played as a number nine, while Harry Kane played just behind him. The duo was effectively two up front with Die Roten switching to a 4-4-2 formation.
Unsurprisingly, Bayern started the game strongly as they have done in several games this season. Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich had good chances in the first five minutes of the game, but Dortmund defenders and Gregor Kobel did well to deny them.
Kobel was forced into making another great save in the 11th minute as Michael Olise’s curling effort was going into the goal. Harry Kane and Konrad Laimer combined brilliantly in the buildup of the game, with the English forward dictating the attacking moves by dropping deep. The visitors were living dangerously in the first 20 minutes of the game.
Bayern eventually got the reward for their fantastic start in the 22nd minute through a set-piece. Kimmich’s pinpoint delivery from the corner allowed Kane to head the ball past Kobel. The English forward showed great movement to beat the marker.
The defending Bundesliga champions continued to cause problems for Dortmund. Michael Olise came close to doubling the lead in the 36th minute. After a neat linkup play with Aleksandar Pavlovic, Olise unleashed a curling effort that hit the framework of the goal.
Bayern didn’t have a lot of goals to show for their dominant performance in the first half, which almost came back to haunt them in the second half.
Dortmund deliver a fighting performance in second half
After accumulating 0.00 xG in the first half, Dortmund came back roaring in the second half. The visitors had their first big chance in the 49th minute. Julian Ryerson delivered an impeccable cross from a set piece to find Felix Nmecha in the box. However, the German midfielder had his header just wide of the target.
Dortmund continued to create decent chances in the first 20 minutes of the second half. Bayern looked vulnerable on the break, but they defended resolutely to deny the visitors a goal. Dortmund also spurned a couple of golden chances to get back in the game.
Bayern delivered the knockout punch in the 79th minute to double the lead. Kane initiated the move with a pinpoint diagonal pass to find Luis Diaz on the left flank. The Colombian managed to take his man to the byline and eventually square the ball in the danger zone. Jobe Bellingham intercepted Diaz’s pass on the line, but he took a long time to sort his feet and make the clearance. Olise pounced on this mistake and bundled the ball into the net.
Despite conceding the second goal, Dortmund kept on pushing Bayern. They got back in the game four minutes later. Ryerson delivered a peach of a cross from the left flank to find Julian Brandt in the box. Bayern failed to mark Brandt, giving the German star to guide the cross from Ryerson into the goal to set up a blockbuster end to the game.
Ryerson was close to setting up another goal for Brandt in the 88th minute, but Kane made a massive challenge to deny the German international.
Bayern had the chance to settle the game in the added time, but Kobel stood tall in a one-on-one situation against Diaz. The Bavarian club clung to the result to remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga.
Stats courtesy- Fotmob