Big win down to "brutal mentality"

The 1-0 win over FC Bayern might not have yielded a trophy, but it did show that BVB are capable of winning big matches in less-than-ideal circumstances (Schürrle and Schmelzer were starting for the first time since 10 September and 14 October respectively). After a run of four league games without a win (one loss, three draws) and the subsequent turnaround as BVB comfortably won 5-2 away in Hamburg before the international break, beating Bayern sent a clear signal – both internally and externally. "There's nothing better than beating Bayern Munich," revealed Hans-Joachim Watzke at Sunday's general meeting – but it was a statement that really hit a note with the Black and Yellow faithful. The celebrations in Dortmund's pubs lasted long into the night.

André Schürrle deemed the two recent league victories, which now mean BVB are on a remarkable run of eight matches unbeaten in all competitions if the DFB Cup and UEFA Champions League are included in the picture, as a turning point for the club and declared: "We need to get into a flow now, then we will be able to put a long run together up until the winter break." Doing so would be music to the ears of head coach Thomas Tuchel, who had announced before the match against Bayern – and the last-minute withdrawal of Marco Reus, Raphael Guerreiro and Sebastian Rode: "At the moment we are living from hand to mouth. However, it remains our objective to dig in deep, keep ourselves in it and, by the second half of the season at the latest, to get a more consistent run of form going."

By beating Bayern 1-0, they did keep themselves in it. For the first time since Matchday 6, Borussia returned to third in the table, a spot which would guarantee automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League. They have cut the gap to record-champions Bayern Munich to three points, while surprise leaders Rasenballsport Leipzig are six points ahead and also very much in striking distance ahead of the return fixture at Signal Iduna Park early in the second half of the season. However, BVB's current position is "only" down to their good goal difference (+14). Four other teams also have 21 points on the board, prompting Watzke to call for the club "to build on the Bayern victory in Frankfurt on Saturday". Opponents Eintracht are level on points with Borussia.

Götze excels in first half

Thomas Tuchel called on his team to show courage against Bayern as he fielded a 3-1-4-2 formation with two strikers, goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the indefatigable Adrian Ramos, for the first time. For at least 20 minutes Borussia dominated their opponents, showing no respect, consistently pressing the Bavarians very early on and demonstrating great tactical discipline. Driven on by a spirited and assertive Mario Götze, who went through a spell of winning almost every challenge and being involved every time BVB threatened, Aubameyang scored the opening and winning goal.

Eleven minutes had been played when Piszczek fed Götze on the right of the box, the latter squaring the ball across the six-yard box for Aubameyang to slide over the line. Schürrle then came close to doubling the lead but volleyed Aubameyang's cut-back straight into Neuer's hands after 20 minutes. Shortly after the break Aubameyang shot against Boateng from a centre-left position (46), headed narrowly over (48) and went clean through on the Bayern goal following Alonso's misplaced pass in the 70th minute – but Neuer got a hand to the ball, clearing it away for a corner and keeping Bayern in the game until the very end. The Bavarians were the dominant side in the second half but lacked clear-cut chances with the exception of Ribery's offside goal and a shot from Alonso that struck the woodwork.

"We showed brutal mentality on the pitch," praised sporting director Michael Zorc, who added: "That's what gave us the edge. We defended very well at the back. Bayern carved out barely any chances to score."
Boris Rupert