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Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Saturday to win the first Der Klassiker of the 2014-15 Bundesliga campaign.
The match began with Dortmund pressing very high up the field, forcing Bayern to pass the ball along the backline and Manuel Neuer. The speed of their front four normally causes teams a lot of issues with their pressing, but Neuer, David Alaba, Mehdi Benatia, and Jerome Boateng passed the ball among themselves without much issue.
Then, as quick as a snap of your fingers, Bayern had a golden chance. Out on the right side, Arjen Robben passed the ball to a streaking Philipp Lahm. The FCB captain backheeled the ball back into the path of Robben who was off toward the goal, and the Dutchman laced a bullet toward the BVB goal. Roman Weidenfeller threw his arms into the air and managed to block the shot out for a corner. I'm still not convinced that Weidenfeller knew anything about that shot.
Borussia Dortmund received an opportunity of their own a couple of minutes later. Shinji Kagawa found Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and the Armenia took off toward the Bayern goal. With nobody closing him down, Mkhitaryan shot toward the Bayern goal. While replays showed that Neuer probably would've saved it, the shot struck the post before heading out of play.
A handful of chances came Bayern's way. Thomas Müller just misplayed a great ball over the top from Jerome Boateng after the centerback broke through BVB's press. Then, Robert Lewandowski just missed a spectacular ninja kick goal on the end of a scissor kick from Müller. Robben wanted his opportunity and cut in on his left foot before ripping another laserbeam at Weidenfeller, but the big goalkeeper was up for the challenge.
However, one thing that you know about Borussia Dortmund is that they're counterattack is QUICK. A long ball out of the back found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang along the right sideline. His jumping backheel found Kagawa, and he turned and sent the ball down the line. Aubameyang was just too fast for Xabi Alonso to catch him, and he whipped in a cross to the middle of the box. Marco Reus beat Benatia to the ball, and just like that Borussia Dortmund took the lead. (WATCH: Marco Reus opens the scoring.)
Bayern kept coming toward the Dortmund goal determined for the equalizer. Robben sent in a great ball to Müller, but Weidenfeller once again made an arm save to deny Müller his goal. What we saw next surely deserved a goal. Mario Götze passed the ball to Lewandowski who backheeled to Müller who sent a ball into the box to a streaking Robben. He gathered himself in front of a charging Weidenfeller before pulling back to shoot. Unfortunately, a sliding Sven Bender blocked the sure goal.
The first half came to an end with Bayern pressing for the equalizer but unable to find it. BVB made the only change at halftime, bringing on Neven Subotic for Mats Hummels.
Lewandowski opened the second half with a great opportunity, but once again, Weidenfeller made a save with his foot without ever seeing the ball coming at him. Bayern continued to pepper the Dortmund end with opportunities, but were still facing a deficit at the hour mark.
Benatia, determined to make up for his mistake that aided BVB's goal, just missed a header in the 65th minute that would've leveled the match. This was the fifth cross that the Moroccan centerback got a head to, but he was unable to finish.
Then, in the 70th minute, Robbery was completed for the first time this season. Mario Götze departed for Franck Ribery, and Bayern fans around the world can rejoice as the holy duo is back together.
No player currently in the Bundesliga has scored against every team. Well, that was true until now. Lewandowski lashed home a failed clearance from Subotic to finally beat Weidenfeller and level the scoreline at one. (WATCH: Lewandowski finds the equalizer.) The goal means that Lewandowski has now scored against all 18 clubs in the Bundesliga. That's a great stat.
And, wouldn't you know it, in the 85th minute Robbery struck. Ribery stripped Subotic and was clearly brought down in the penalty area by the Serbian defender. The referee had no decision but to award the penalty to FC Bayern. Robben stepped up the spot for the kick and converted. (WATCH: Robben converts the penalty.) Bayern Munich led 2-1 over Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern pushed the lead at the top of the Bundesliga back to four points. The loss sends Borussia Dortmund down into the relegation zone.