Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund to claim record-equalling 11th win of season

FC Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in Der Klassiker on Saturday evening. Harry Kane handed Bayern the lead after 20 minutes and Michael Olise doubled the advantage in the second half before Julian Brandt pulled one back for Dortmund, but Munich went on to win their 11th match this season, equalling Dortmund’s German record set in 2015/16.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Sacha Boey, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Konrad Laimer in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Olise, Kane and Luis Díaz, with Nicolas Jackson up front. Leon Goretzka, Tom Bischof and Minjae Kim came on for Jackson, Boey and Pavlović in the second half.

Dominant display

Munich were in the driving seat throughout the first half, with Borussia happy to sit back. BVB keeper Gregor Kobel proved equal to a Kimmich effort before denying Olise and saving Díaz’s rebound. Bayern took the lead when Kimmich’s corner found Kane, who powered home a header.

The one-way traffic resulted in a couple of half-chances and Bayern could have made it two when Boey fired just wide. Kane miscued and Olise hit the post, with Díaz and Kimmich seeing efforts blocked. Vincent Kompany’s men restricted Dortmund to nothing and were one up at half-time but rued their missed chances to extend the lead.

Tense finish in more even half

Dortmund got a grip after half-time and the second half was a more balanced affair. A Julian Ryerson free-kick found Felix Nmecha, who directed his header wide inside the six-yard box. Serhou Guirassy fired over before Borussia intercepted a ball in Bayern’s half, but Karim Adeyemi slipped and skied the chance.

Olise had a shot blocked and hit the side-netting before Nico Schlotterbeck made a fine block against the France international. Kane’s pinpoint pass soon found Díaz, whose square was intercepted, but Olise was on hand to mop up and double the lead. BVB pulled one back when Ryerson’s cross invited substitute Brandt to turn in – the first goal Bayern had conceded at home in the Bundesliga for six games. The goal boosted the visitors, but Bayern saw out the result to maintain their flawless record this season.

The result means Bayern top the table on 21 points from seven matches, five clear of RB Leipzig. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday when they entertain Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen