Bundesliga
BVB outplayed as furious Bayern claim 6-0 win
Borussia Dortmund were deservedly beaten 6-0 (5-0) away to FC Bayern Munich in Bundesliga Round 28's top match. Especially in the first half, the Black & Yellows could not find a way to stem the tide as the German champions-elect delivered an irrepressible performance.
Dennis-Julian Gottschlich reporting
The 75,000 crowd at a sold-out Allianz Arena watched as Bayern raced into a first-half lead against Borussia Dortmund courtesy of goals from Lewandowski (5/44), James (14), Müller (23) and Ribéry (45+1). The men from Munich toned down the pressure a few notches after the interval, but the only real moment of danger from the visitors came as Götze struck the upright from 17 metres (67). Bayern added a sixth through Lewandowski in the final minutes to round off the win.
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The scenario:
Third-placed BVB were still unbeaten in the league since Peter Stöger's arrival and were hoping for a result that would extend that run and consolidate their position. Schalke's victory earlier in the day meant Bayern would have to wait a little longer to be crowned German champions for the 28th time, but that did little to diminish their motivation ahead of their meeting with long-term rivals Dortmund. The Bavarians went into the game with a worse Bundesliga record against BVB than any other current top-flight club. Additionally, the Black & Yellows were the only visiting team to have won three times at the Allianz Arena.
Personnel matters:
Peter Stöger was without Durm, Zagadou, Kagawa, Rode, Yarmolenko, Reus, Guerreiro and Toprak in Munich. The coach made only one change to the starting line-up that beat Hannover 1-0 a fortnight ago, with Sokratis replacing the injured Toprak at the back. Bayern, meanwhile, were without Neuer, Coman, Vidal and Bernat.
Tactics:
BVB opted for a different tactical setup to one deployed in the 2-1 DFB Cup defeat in Munich in mid-December, when they lined up with a back three-five, instead going for the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. But they left their opponents far too much room. The men from Munich opted for a 4-1-4-1 system, in which wingers Robben and Ribéry often cut inside to allow room for the full-backs to push up and create numerical superiority in the middle of the park.
The match & analysis:
Borussia Dortmund were overwhelmed by their hosts in the opening half, showing a lack aggression and confidence on the ball in midfield as they were repeatedly outplayed – at times even humiliated – by Bayern. Barely five minutes had elapsed when FCB dealt the first blow, with Müller threading the ball through and Lewandowski leaving Bürki, who had come rushing off his line, with no chance with a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. The Pole very much looked to be in an offside position but referee Dankert let the goal stand. Moments later the hosts did have a goal ruled out for offside, though, after Ribéry slotted home. The official consulted with the video assistant referee in Cologne and decided that the Frenchman, just a few metres from goal, had been marginally offside.
The men from Munich, however, remained unperturbed by the decision and looked to draw BVB out, before using their pace and precise passing – often down the flanks – to get into shooting positions. One such example came on 14 minutes, when Alaba on the left fizzed a cross into the centre and James side-footed the ball into the net from close range. Once again, the video assistant referee in Cologne had to check to alleviate suspicions of offside but allowed the goal to stand. Müller soon made it 3-0. James dispossessed a foray forward from a BVB player on the halfway line and then countered via a one-two with Lewandowski before picking out Müller in the penalty area with a chip. The Germany international was left with a simple finish (23).
Bürki powerless to stop Ribéry
After scoring the third, the men from Munich dropped down a few gears for a short while and BVB managed, somewhat, to slow down the tempo of the game. Yet opportunities for the visitors were few and far between in the first period. The only notable attempts on the Bayern goal were a shot from Götze following a corner that was narrowly off target (4), as well as two attempts by Schürrle (8/13) and one by Pulisic (20) that all flew wide or were comfortably saved by Ulreich. The record champions again upped the tempo on the stroke of half-time, making it 4-0 on 44 minutes when Ribéry wriggled his way through and the ball luckily landed at the feet of Lewandowski, who had the easiest of tap-ins. The fifth came immediately afterwards. BVB lost the ball directly from kick-off and Müller picked out Ribéry, whose lob sailed over Bürki and into the net (45+1).
As was to be expected, the Bayern onslaught became less frenetic after the interval. Yet the Black & Yellows rarely ventured forward, with the players clearly wary of the home side's firepower going forward. The first real opportunity for BVB came through Götze, who struck a low effort from 17 metres out that rebounded off the upright (67). At the other end, Rafinha squandered a chance (54) before Sokratis cleared to deny James (62) and Hummels headed over from five metres out (70). The closing stages saw Bürki make a strong save to keep out Lewandowski, while Piszczek tested Bayern shot-stopper Ulreich minutes later (80). At one point substitute Philipp broke through down the middle but couldn't get a shot away (81). Bayern subsequently rounded off the win when Kimmich set up Lewandowski for the sixth in the 87th minute.
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Outlook:
The next domestic outing comes next Sunday (8 April, 15:30 CET), when VfB Stuttgart visit Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 29.