Big-Game Bayern Munich Show Up In 4-2 Win Over Dortmund

It is the same procedure as every year when Dortmund visits Bayern Munich. There are high hopes that this time it will be different, and that Dortmund can surprise the Rekordmeister and finally win a Bundesliga game at the Allianz Arena. But once again on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund lost, this time 4-2, still waiting to break a series that now goes back to 2014.

Dortmund’s chance to win in Munich might never have been better. The Black and Yellows traveled to Munich as the league leaders, one point ahead of Bayern. But within 23 minutes the Klassiker was over. Bayern went up quickly 3-0 thanks to an own goal by Gregor Kobel (13’) and a brace by Thomas Müller (18’ and 23’).

One could even go as far in saying that the game was over after Kobel’s howler that led to the first. It was the first game back for Kobel after an injury and he his blackout to miss a long ball forward by Dayot Upamecano, slightly redirecting it into his own goal, led to yet another Dortmund collapse.

After that first goal, Müller quickly added two more, and the biggest game in Germany, broadcasted around the world, including on ABC in the United States, was over before it even begun. Bayern then added a fourth through Kingsley Coman to start the second half before Dortmund added a very late mini-comeback that was too little too late—Emre Can (72’ penalty) and Donyel Malen (90’) were the scorers.

“We are all people and when something like this happens, it doesn’t just
just
go past us unnoticed,” Dortmund captain Marco Reus said when asked about Kobel’s mistake early on by Deutsche Welle. After that goal Dortmund was out of control, and Bayern like a shark in the water smelling blood dismantled their rivals.

Bayern’s demolition of their rivals sees them now go back to the top of the table. A dream scenario for the Bayern bosses, who went all in last week by sacking Julian Nagelsmann and replacing him with Thomas Tuchel.

“Today was a good first step,” Tuchel said after the game to Sky Germany. “The game was a bit too wild, we wanted to have more dominance and control. We started very nervously. The whole game was actually too sloppy with too many ball losses. The willingness to work off the ball was extremely high.”

Indeed, why Bayern will certainly be happy with the three points, the story here is more about Dortmund’s collapse then the Rekordmeister’s performance. Despite the dominance, there were still spells in Bayern’s play where they looked vulnerable, and perhaps a more confident side might have explored those weaknesses better.

Despite all that, Tuchel was also happy about his side’s reaction. “There’s still room for improvement,” Tuchel said. “Everyone was aware of what was at stake today. A change of coach always brings unrest, there was a lot to absorb. The willingness to implement everything was there 100%. That’s the most important thing.”

Going forward, that willingness to keep improving will be essential for Bayern. Because despite the win, the gap at the top of the table remains just two points, and Bayern has shown several times this season that the club is always ready for another wobble when it is the least expected.

In fact, what we saw on Saturday was a typical big-game Bayern performance, the sort of performance we visited on a regular basis in the Champions League against the likes of PSG, Barca, and Inter Milan under former head coach Julian Nagelsmann. Tuchel’s job is to preserve this attitude, bottle it, and bring stability.

And there is not much time for the 49-year-old to do just that. Up next will be two fixtures against Freiburg, first in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday and then in the league next Saturday. Freiburg is currently fourth and has been one of the most consistent teams in the Bundesliga this season.

Dortmund, in the meantime, has to rebound quickly. The Black and Yellows will first face Leipzig in the Pokal on Wednesday and then Union Berlin at home on Saturday. A big week for both teams that could very well determine the direction of the Bundesliga title race.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth