Borussia Dortmund suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in Saturday’s top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash. Given the fact that the game was fiercely contested throughout and that for long periods BVB caused the Bayern defence real problems, the final score-line did not really reflect the game.

 

 

 

Johannes Vorspohl reporting

The SIGNAL IDUNA PARK was completely sold-out with 80,645 present to see an intensive match-up between sides of equal ability. It was almost inevitable that it was substitute Götze who opened the scoring for the visitors on 66 minutes. BVB contrived to miss two clear-cut chances to equalise before Müller (85 mins) and Robben two minutes later settled the game.

The Scenario:

It was the ninth time that the two teams had gone head-to-head whilst occupying the top two spots. BVB had enjoyed more success in those fixtures with four wins and two draws. Borussia had not lost any of their last six league games against Bayern.

Personnel Matters:

Borussia Dortmund went into the game without an entire first choice back four: Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer (plus Piszczek on the bench) as well as Gündogan. Piszczek was making a return to the squad after an absence of some 182 days. Sokratis, Durm, Kuba and newcomer Friedrich came into the side that last played in Wolfsburg while for the visitors Shaqiri, Badstuber, Schweinseteiger and Ribery were unavailable for selection.

Tactics:

Despite so many regulars being unavailable, BVB started in their customary 4-2-3-1 formation with Reus down the right, Kuba on the left although they inter-changed throughout the game. Bayern coach Guardiola sent out his charges in a 4-1-4-1 system with Lahm playing the holding role in midfield and Kroos given licence to in turn attack and bolster defence.

The Game and Analysis:

Scarcely 3 minutes had gone when BVB fans jumped up anticipating a goal as they watched Kuba cross for Lewandowski only to see the Pole lean back too much and fire his effort over the bar.

Bayern displayed their normal approach, treasuring possession in midfield and indulging in the short-passing game but were unable to fashion real goal-scoring opportunities because the hastily re-constructed BVB defence were doing well, working hard, and closing down their opponents with real zeal.

Gradually, BVB grew into the game and after twenty minutes the game began to be played predominantly in the visitor’s final third of the field. With BVB exerting such pressure, the Champions were forced to seek relief with the long ball. Despite dominating, BVB did not create too many chances with Reus involved in two of the best when first denied by Dante on 21 minutes and then, following a mistake by Boateng, the BVB striker was thwarted by Neuer in the visitors’ goal on the half hour. 

The fans were treated to a very intense game. Bayern had their best chance in the first half on 35 minutes when Weidenfeller made a fine double-save to keep out first a bicycle kick from Mandzukic and then Müller’s follow-up. BVB enjoyed huge good fortune two minutes later when Robben slid a ball along the six-yard line only to see Mandzukic somehow fail to connect and convert.

BVB fashioned the first chance of the first half when Bender clipped a fine cross into the box only to see Lewandowski just fail to get a touch with the ball just spinning wide of the far post. Whilst the game remained very charged and competitive, real chances were at a premium with both defences in command and vigilant.

And it simply had to be Götze who broke the deadlock on 66 minutes when he swooped onto a pulled back ball from Müller to flick the ball into the far corner with the outside of his foot. Weidenfeller managed to get a finger-tip to the ball but to no avail.

Borussia immediately went down the other end and almost claimed a deserved equaliser when a studied Großkreutz cross found Mkhitaryan at the far post. With time to spare, the Armenian finally sliced his effort wide of the gaping goal. Four minutes later a fulminating drive from Reus was parried by Neuer.

With eleven minutes remaining BVB fans finally had something to celebrate when Piszczek finally mad his return to first team action replacing Bender. But as the game drew to a close it was Bayern who embarked on decisive counter-attacks although their second goal ought not to have been allowed after Dante had clearly fouled Reus. Bayern broke fast and Dante was soon finding Robben who flicked a cultured finish up and over Weidenfeller to make it 2-0. Three minutes later yet another counter-attack led to Müller rounding off the scoring as he latched onto a pulled-back cross.

The final highlight of the game, however, was the manner in which the South Stand supported their team as they left the field at the end of the game.

Prospects:

BVB are in for a busy time: Jürgen Klopp and his charges take on SSC Napoli on Tuesday (kick-off 2045 CET) before they travel to FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday, 30 November in the Bundesliga (1530).