Paco Alcácer scored the winner. Not for the first time. But the standout performer in what was a super-intense and high-quality clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich this evening was Marco Reus. Not for the first time either!

"It was a top performance from both teams," said the 29-year-old after the game, adding: "In the first half we saw a strong Bayern. In the second half we were back to our usual selves, were more aggressive and created goalscoring chances. We had another two or three opportunities that we should've scored too."

image

Writing in a column for kicker magazine before the game, coaching legend Ottmar Hitzfeld had said: "At BVB we're witnessing a Marco Reus on super form, the best Reus that we've ever seen. He's leading the way, the youngsters are following and they're all dazzling with their speedy switch-play."

Reus scored his seventh and eighth goals of the Bundesliga season in the 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich. In all competitions − including the UEFA Champions League and the DFB Cup − the Dortmund native has found the net on 11 occasions this term.

For the first equaliser, he converted the penalty he had won after being brought down by Manuel Neuer; for the second, he took a risk and it paid off. "Flop or top. Either it goes into the South Stand or it goes in," he said of his half-volley from outside the box. "I connected with the ball perfectly."

It was a stonewall penalty, too. "I came racing in with so much speed. If that's not a penalty, then I don't know what is," said Reus. "I'm not known for diving," he continued, before adding: "I didn't actually expect to get to the ball, but Manuel hesitated." In the ensuing collision Neuer brought Reus crashing down.

Reus had six shots in total – more than any of the other 27 players that featured in the match. He led Borussia to the victory and they now have a four-point lead over Borussia Mönchengladbach heading into the international break. "We're proud of our current situation, we're having lots of fun and working as a team. We're not letting ourselves be affected by negative situations, but we're a long way away from talking about winning the title. The league is so tight, there are still lots of games to be played. So we should all keep our feet on the ground." Once the break is over "we'll be the ones to catch. That'll make it even more difficult from game to game."
Boris Rupert