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In what was essentially a prequel (not a preview) to the true drama coming at Wembley, FC Bayern Munich faced Borussia Dormtund today at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. While Borussia Dortmund played a mostly first string lineup (including Grosskreutz at right back), Bayern Munich played almost exclusively second string squad which included Jupp Heynckes second string wardrobe. In what was a decidedly aggressive match from both teams, Bayern were handed a total of seven yellow cards by referee Peter Gagelmann, while the total card count reached 8.
The game started rather inauspiciously as Bayern were unable to get a handle on the game, which included a 10' yellow card for Anatoliy Tymoshuck, which was quickly followed a Kevin Grosskreutz goal in the 11'. With Jakub Blaszczykowski on the left wing, a cut back on the left wing, and a floated cross across goal found Grosskreutz unmarked at the far post, where an instep volley was pumped over Neuer's head giving Dortmund the 1-0 lead. Up to this point Dortmund were in the driving seat of this match and Bayern looked in trouble. At the 14' Jurgen Klopp made the choice to withdraw Ilkay Gundogan, who was replaced by Moritz Leitner, in what was deemed a precautionary move. Given how the rest of the match unfolded, this was probably an intelligent decision.
With the withdrawal of Gundogan, Bayern began to exert more of an influence over the match and it was seemed only a matter of time before Bayern equalized. In the 23' minute Mario Gomez did what Mario Gomez does as a cross from Rafinha on the right cleared Neven Subotic in a moment on derpiness, allowing Gomez to bury the header past Roman Weidenfeller to equalize.
via i.minus.com
In the 60', a Nuri Sahin shot from outside the area found Jerome Boateng blocking, whose hands upraised came in direct contact with the ball as Peter Gagelmann whistled and pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Robert Lewandowski, whose right footed shot to the left of Neuer was expertly saved keeping the game level.
Lewandowski penalty kick saved by Neuer (via Zinedine Zidane)
2 minutes later Rafinaha earned a yellow card, which was followed 2 minutes later by true drama. Challenging down the left wing with Jakub Blaszczykowski, Rafinha clearly intentionally elbowed Kuba across the face, who did his best fish in a boat impression earning a yellow for embellishment. The foul by Rafinha earned him his second yellow and his walking papers, which apparently included orders to start a screaming match on the sideline as Rafinha, Jurgen Klopp and Matthias Sammer got into a rather heated argument on the sideline.
Rafinha sent off for Elbow (via Zinedine Zidane)
Following the reduction to 10 men, Emre Can replaced Mario Gomez and slotted in at right back, who also picked up a booking in the 85' as the rest of the match proceeded to its final conclusion as a 1-1 draw.
Earning at 1-1 draw away to Borussia Dortmund is a respectable result, especially given the match's chippy nature and the fact that Bayern played a man down for nearly 30 minutes. Unfortunately, this results ended their chase at spending this calendar year unbeaten in domestic play. While some have suggested that this was going to a be a preview of excitement due to come at Wembley, today's lineup from Jupp Heynckes guaranteed we wouldn't see that as the majority of his best players were left home to do things like watch Bayern basketball. With no midweek game, enjoy the midweek respite before we face the incoming FC Augsburg and have the trophy presentation next Saturday.