Musiala header earns point in Klassiker

FC Bayern were held to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Saturday. Jamie Gittens put Dortmund in front in the first half, and although Bayern were dominant, they had to wait until the closing stages for Jamal Musiala to level the scores.

Bayern started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Musiala and Mathys Tel, with Harry Kane up front. Kane had to go off injured after the half-hour, with Thomas Müller coming on. Sacha Boey, Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise took over from Laimer, Tel and Kim in the second half.

Trailing at half-time

Bayern were dominant at first, but with Dortmund solid at the back, gilt-edged chances were at a premium. A Sané effort was saved and Kimmich saw a free-kick blocked. Dortmund then took the lead against the run of play when Gittens raced clear down the left and beat Neuer.

Bayern went looking for an answer, but their attacks were largely uninspired. Borussia keeper Gregor Kobel saved a Müller header before Neuer beat Marcel Sabitzer to the ball at the other end as Bayern went into the break a goal down.

Jamal to the rescue

It was a lively affair after the restart, with Kobel making a good save against Müller before Laimer cleared against Gittens. Musiala fired a low effort just wide and Sané failed to hit the target when through before Neuer denied Sabitzer.

Dortmund dropped deeper and deeper now and Coman saw an effort saved, but Munich levelled the scores with five minutes to go. A Sané free-kick initially hit the wall, but Olise's cross found the unmarked Musiala, who headed home. Another Sané effort was blocked as Dortmund and Bayern shared the spoils.

The result means Bayern have 30 points from 12 matches, seven clear of Frankfurt, who take on Heidenheim on Sunday. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday when they entertain Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Cup round of 16.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen