Bayern Munich made it three Der Klassiker wins in 2020 by beating Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday. Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba, and Leroy Sane provided goals for visitors, while Marco Reus and Erling Braut Haaland were on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Hansi Flick was forced to make on change in the defense that played against Red Bull Salzburg. Benjamin Pavard missed out due to injury, so Bouna Sarr slotted in the right-back position. Leon Goretzka replaced Corentin Tolisso in the midfield. Dortmund made two changes to the team that won against Club Brugge in midweek. Mats Hummels replaced Mahmoud Dahoud, while Reus and Jadon Sancho replaced Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt in the attack.
The game started at an incredible tempo as both teams looked to stamp the authority straightaway. Dortmund looked threatening on the break while Die Roten used a more measured way to build attacks and break down the resilient defense of BVB. The first big chance fell for Lewandowski but his attempt hit the side netting.
The Polish striker scored in the 24th minute after some tidy play by Serge Gnabry on the left flank. However, the VAR chalked off the goal after replays suggested that Lewandowski was marginally offside. Both sides continued to create half-chances in the latter part of the first half. Dortmund managed to convert one of these chances as Reus blasted the shot in the net after a neat cross delivered by Raphael Guerreiro.
Die Roten reacted immediately after going down as a cleverly worked freekick was converted by Alaba. The Austrian defender continues to show his impeccable skills from setpieces. At half-time, both teams cancelled each other out with two well-crafted goals.
The German Champions roared back into the lead straight away after half-time as Lewandowski scored the 11th goal of the league campaign. The Pole headed past Roman Burki after Lucas Hernandez delivered a cushioned cross from the left flank. The visitors were all over BVB as Coman smashed the woodwork with a fierce attempt from the box.
Dortmund found it very difficult to contain Die Roten’s attack, but they did have chances at the other end to get back into the game. Jerome Boateng and Alaba had to defend resolutely as Haaland was often bullying them aerially.
The pressure on BVB increased when Sane came off the bench and curled it past Burki to double Bayern’s lead. The missed chances came back to bite Dortmund. The German winger scored his second goal of the week as he also came off the bench against RB Salzburg,
Haaland finally got his goal after he timed his run to perfection to meet Guerreiro’s chipped pass. Die Roten were on the ropes in the final five minutes, but they showed composure to see out the game. Lewandowski had scored the fourth goal in injury time, but it was once again disallowed due to offside.
Flick will be pleased with the performance as Die Roten look formidable in the Bundesliga. His main concern will be the extent of Joshua Kimmich‘s injury as the German midfielder hobbled off in the first half. Bayern remains top of the table after this win, with a two points lead over RB Leipzig.
