Match Report
1-1 – Gittens opens scoring but lead only lasts until 85th minute
Boris Rupert reporting
Jamie Gittens fired BVB into the lead in the 27th minute in front of 81,365 spectators at a sold-out SIGNAL IDUNA PARK and Marcel Sabitzer had a great opportunity to make it 2-0 after an hour, but then the visitors grew increasingly stronger and levelled the scores at 1-1 through Jamal Musiala in the 85th minute.
The scenario:
The 111th Bundesliga meeting between the two clubs saw the best away team visit the best home team. FC Bayern had taken 16 out of a possible 18 points on their travels, while BVB had picked up all 18 points on home turf. Including last season and all competitions, the Black & Yellows had won their previous 11 games at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.
Personnel matters:
The injured Brandt (thigh problems) was replaced by Ryerson on the team sheet and by Groß in his attacking midfield position. In addition, Guirassy came into the starting line-up in place of Malen. Following a long injury lay-off, Süle returned to the matchday squad. He made an early substitute appearance. Schlotterbeck wore the captain's armband.
Tactics:
There was no change to the courageous approach. Nmecha remained the sole defensive midfielder in the Black & Yellows' 4-3-3. Sabitzer (centre-right) and Groß occupied the spaces in front. Bayern's 4-2-3-1 was a tad more defensive-minded on paper, but the visitors actually played even higher up the pitch than Borussia, who positioned their back four far in front of their own box. In real tactical terms, the men from Munich operated in an asymmetrical 3-3-4 with Laimer, Kimmich and Goretzka in midfield, and Musiala almost level with Kane at centre-forward. Laimer was also positioned further forward as he was obviously tasked with sticking very close to Gittens.
The match & analysis:
It was an intensive, fast-paced, attack-minded clash from the beginning – initially with an optical advantage for the league leaders from Munich, who also left gaps at the back however. That gave rise to a situation in the 15th minute in which BVB had numerical superiority in the Bayern box could not take advantage.
Sahin's hand was forced early on. Anton clutched his groin following a challenge around the quarter-hour mark and was replaced by Süle. Kobel also had problems to contend with early on; he repeatedly touched his hip but stayed on the field.
Borussia Dortmund kept it simple – and took the lead with their third shot at goal. The opener was initiated by Schlotterbeck's precise pass from the left corner of the penalty to box to Gittens on the halfway line. The 20-year-old left Laimer trailing in his wake with a feint and then stormed down the left flank before entering the Bayern penalty area and unleashing a powerful shot from around seven metres out. The ball flew into the top right corner for 1-0. A few facts about Gittens' eighth competitive goal of the season: while sprinting half the length of the pitch, his top speed was 34.52km/h; his successful shot in the 27th minute of the match flew past Neuer at a speed of 102km/h.
Borussia also put up a strong fight in the second period, skilfully closing down the passing channels at the outset, but did have to endure a heart-in-mouth moment when Kane's replacement Müller got a shot away in the penalty area in the 49th minute. But Kobel made himself big and pulled off a strong save. Beier subsequently delivered a low ball into the middle; Gittens would have done better to shoot first-time rather than control it. That allowed Laimer the chance to clear for a corner.
But Dortmund's play grew slightly more passive after around an hour and Bayern immediately posed a threat – through Musiala and Laimer. At the other end, Sabitzer surged into the penalty area from the right following Nmecha's pass but was denied by Neuer (61). The shot count, which BVB had led for a long time, stood at 9-6 to Bayern by the 70th minute.
The fans were the 12th man, celebrating every successful defensive intervention in the phase where the team was under pressure. But they could not stop the score becoming 1-1. Bayern won a free-kick 17 metres out in the 85th minute. Sané fired the ball into Süle's face from a central position, play continued, Olise crossed back into the box from a centre-right position and the unmarked Musiala nodded home for 1-1. Beier had another chance following a crossed free-kick by Groß but his shot was blocked by a Bayern defender (90+4).
Outlook:
BVB will continue their campaign with another classic away to Borussia Mönchengladbach next Saturday.
Teams & goals
Bundesliga Matchday 12
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-1 (1-0) FC BAYERN MUNICH
Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson (Couto, 74), Anton (Süle, 17), Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini – Nmecha – Sabitzer (Reyna, 90), Groß – Beier, Guirassy, Gittens (Malen, 74)
Bayern München: Neuer – Laimer (Boey, 62), Upamecano, Kim (Olise, 80), Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Sané, Musiala, Tel (Coman, 62) – Kane (Müller, 33)
Substitutes: Meyer, Duranville, Campbell, Kabar, Azhil – Peretz, Aznou, Dier, Guerreiro, Ibrahimovic
Goals: 1-0 Gittens (Schlotterbeck, 27), 1-1 Musiala (Olise, 85)
Corners: 2-3 (0-1 at half-time), chance ratio: 3-4 (1-1)
Referee: Jablonski (Bremen), yellow cards: Ryerson, Beier – Sané, Upamecano
Attendance: 81,365 (sold-out), weather: dry, 4 degrees