Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

Initial observations and reactions

• Kimmich’s goal was more crucial than we thought. Kimmich’s goal before halftime proved to be the winner but, this game probably should have ended 0-0. Both teams’ defenses were on point all day and only the improbable goal from Kimmich could break the deadlock. Neither offense could get anything through the opposing team’s backline.
• Bayern controlled the midfield for most of the game. Especially in the second half, Bayern had the midfield locked down. For long stretches of time, every Dortmund possession ended via a takeaway in the central midfield. Later in the game Bayern dropped back even further, but still did not allow any attack to get by.
• Seven points ahead is great, but Bayern needs to keep the foot on the gas. Bayern can’t rest on their laurels quite yet. After beating a very good Dortmund team, Bayern cannot afford to drop points against any of their remaining opponents until they have clinched the title. Playing in empty stadiums, anything can happen and Bayern are no strangers to dropping points against lesser opponents.

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Final: Dortmund 0 - 1 Bayern Munich

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90’ — Three minutes of stoppage time added

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87’ — Bayern sub. Serge Gnabry off for Javi Martinez.

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85’ — Bayern sub. Lukas Hernandez on for Jerome Boateng

80’ — Lewandowski hits the post.

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73’ — Bayern sub. Kingsley Coman off for Ivan Perisic

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72’ — Dortmund sub. Erling Haaland off for Gio Reyna

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46’ — Underway in the second half

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Halftime observations and reactions

• This is a hard-nose, defensive masterclass. Both teams have had long multiple spells of possession that were almost always broken up by the opposing team. Both teams are being physical and the fouls aren’t always being whistled. For 43 minutes the defenses were shining bright.
• Kimmich’s goal was huge. In a defense-heavy game like this one, a goal is a rare commodity. Although both teams will have a chance to regroup at the half, Bayern has a great advantage going into the locker room. Look for Hansi Flick to prepare the team for whatever Dortmund tries to counter with.
• Hummel’s yellow card may play a part. The former Bayern man has already had to take a careful approach to defending. In a physical game like this, this could come into play. Either it is in the back of his mind and he has to take a step back, or he will forget it and go in hard and get his second yellow.

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Halftime: Dortmund 0-1 Bayern

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43’ — GOAL!! Bayern. Joshua Kimmich chips the keeper from outside the box!

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Kickoff: We are underway in Dortmund!

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One hour until kickoff: Lineups are out! Our prediction was spot-on:

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The Bundesliga restart is well and truly underway, and now it’s time for what could be the biggest game of the Ruckrunde. With just four points separating the two clubs, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have everything to play for as the two sides meet in front of an empty Yellow Wall. This will be, without a doubt, one of the strangest Klassikers ever.

Both teams come into the game in less than ideal condition. BVB will miss the services of their captain, Marco Reus, while Hansi Flick and Bayern will be without starting midfielder Thiago Alcantara. For most teams, losing players of that quality would be a death sentence — but in this case, both managers have suitable quality backups to deploy.

On Bayern’s part, the team will probably line up in a typical champagne XI, with Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller up top, and Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman on the wings. Leon Goretzka will replace Thiago as the partner for Joshua Kimmich, which an unchanged backline of Alphonso Davies, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, and Benjamin Pavard will be tasked with dealing with Erling Haaland and co. This will not be an easy game, but the Rekordmeister has more than enough quality to pull it off.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Time: 6:30 pm local time, 12:30 pm EST

TV/streaming: Fubo.tv, Find Your Country

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