Bayern overcome Borussia Dortmund in thriller

FC Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in Der Klassiker to open up an 11-point lead in the Bundesliga. Nico Schlotterbeck handed Dortmund the lead midway through the first half. Harry Kane levelled the scores after half-time and put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot. Daniel Svensson equalised, but Joshua Kimmich’s late goal sealed three big points.

Munich started with Jonas Urbig in goal and Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Konrad Laimer in defence. Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Luis Díaz, with Kane up front. Jamal Musiala, Tom Bischof, Leon Goretzka and Minjae Kim took over from Gnabry, Laimer, Kimmich and Olise in the second half.

Hard-fought first half

Bayern enjoyed more of the ball, but Dortmund were solid at the back and clear-cut chances were at a premium in a hard-fought first half. Olise saw a shot saved before his cross only just evaded Díaz. Munich lacked precision in the final third, with Dortmund taking the lead with their first effort of the game when Svensson’s free-kick found Schlotterbeck, who headed past Urbig.

The opener boosted the home side and Urbig beat Yan Couto to a pass before denying Maximilian Beier. Borussia keeper Gregor Kobel saved from Kimmich as Bayern trailed at half-time.

Back and forth, dramatic finish

Gnabry fired over from distance and Tah made a block against Svensson after the restart. Gnabry’s pass evaded Upamecano at the far post, but a goal was coming and arrived when Kimmich’s sumptuous chip found Gnabry, who headed it down for Kane to crown impressive interplay and level the scores. Dortmund replied almost immediately, but Beier fired over.

Olise soon ran onto a stray Felix Nmecha pass but miscued. Couto fired wide before Schlotterbeck upended Stanišić in the box, with Kane converting the ensuing penalty. Dortmund equalised when Svensson volleyed in from Sabitzer’s cross. Guirassy failed to hit the target, but Bayern restored their lead in the closing minutes. Olise’s cross was cleared only as far as Kimmich, whose volley beat Kobel as Bayern sealed a crucial victory.

The result takes Bayern onto 63 points from 24 matches, 11 clear of their closest rivals. Vincent Kompany’s team will be back in action next Friday when they entertain Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen