Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich moved four points clear of Borussia Dortmund with a come-from-behind win in a pulsating Klassiker.
Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Bayern Munich
Goals: 1-0 Brandt 5' (assist: Bellingham), 1-1 Lewandowski 9' (assist: Müller), 1-2 Coman (44'), 2-2 Haaland 48' (assist: Bellingham), 2-3 Lewandowski (pen. 77')
Even Erling Haaland's blistering pace was not enough to reach the ball ahead of the ever-alert Manuel Neuer as the first chance almost fell Dortmund's way, but the home fans did not have long to wait before being ripped from their seats. Julian Brandt took down Jude Bellingham's perfectly weighted pass and side-stepped Alphonso Davies with consummate ease before placing his shot past Neuer. Their lead lasted less than five minutes, though, before Mats Hummels' pass was blocked by Thomas Müller and the ball fell kindly for Lewandowski to net his 15th Bundesliga goal of the season.
Dortmund were playing a risky game and Kingsley Coman almost benefitted from a misplaced Emre Can pass, but the hosts were giving as good as they were getting in a highly entertaining game as Haaland flashed a shot within a lick of paint of the far post. The action swung from end to end, and in a game of such fine margins, it was a blocked pass that fell kindly for Coman and enabled the Frenchman to give Bayern the lead just before half-time, with Hummels once again unlucky with a rebound.
Like in the first half, Dortmund came flying out of the blocks and Haaland showed his ruthless streak, curling a masterful effort beyond the fingertips of Neuer and in off the far post to bring Dortmund level almost instantly, with Bellingham once again the supplier. Gregor Kobel made a great one-handed save to deny Coman as the pendulum threatened to swing back in Bayern's favour, only for the hosts to go close to regaining the lead through a pumped-up Haaland.
Dortmund lost Brandt to a head injury and the momentum promptly shifted back to Bayern, who took the lead when the referee was called to the VAR monitor to review a possible handball inside the penalty area. He pointed to the spot, which usually can only mean one thing with Lewandowski placing the ball down, but Kobel went agonisingly close to keeping the Pole's penalty out, though his fingertips could only help the ball on its way in.
The break for Brandt's injury meant ten minutes were added on during which Neuer thwarted Donyell Malen and Thomas Meunier. With Dortmund throwing the kitchen sink and Kobel up for a corner, Corentin Tolisso missed an open goal with a long-distance attempt, but the damage had already been done.
Match stats
- Bayern have won six Bundesliga Klassikers in a row, and have only lost two of the last 11. Overall, they lead with 52 Bundesliga wins to BVB's 26.
- Lewandowski has converted 38 of his 42 Bundesliga penalties for a 90 percent success rate.
- The Pole has now scored 26 goals in 25 games against his former club; that's more goals than against any other club. He is the top scorer in Der Klassiker with 27 goals.
- Bellingham provided two assists in one game for the first time in the Bundesliga.
- Coman has been involved in seven Klassikers and won all seven.
- Haaland has scored six goals in as many competitive meetings with Bayern, and 51 in as many Bundesliga games.
Line-ups
Dortmund: Kobel - Meunier, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro (Schulz 82') – Bellingham, Can, Dahoud (Malen 60') - Brandt, Haaland (Tigges 82'), Reus (c)
Unused subs: Hitz, Zagadou, Reinier, Witsel, Pongracic, Wolf
Out: Bürki (illness), Hazard (not included), Morey (knee), Moukoko (muscular), Reyna (match fitness), Schmelzer (knee), Unbehaun (hand)
Coach: Marco Rose
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez (Süle 74'), Davies – Tolisso, Goretzka (Musiala 65') – Coman, Müller, Sane (Gnabry 65') – Lewandowski
Unused subs: Früchtl, Richards, Roca, Nianzou, Tillman
Out: Choupo-Moting (not included), Cuisance (knock), Kimmich (not included), Sabitzer (calf), Sarr (groin), Stanisic (thigh), Ulreich (back)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
