© FC Bayern
“Steht auf, wenn ihr Bayern seid” rang out loudly around the Allianz Arena just after Borussia Dortmund had denied Bayern victory in Der Klassiker with a late equaliser on Saturday night. Down on the pitch, there were discussions, gesticulating and a search for explanations.
There were initially no signs of satisfaction after the final whistle. Nor, however, were there any signs of resignation. Bayern had put in too much effort over the preceding 90 minutes and had repeatedly shown that they do not let setbacks knock them off course.
© Imago
It was a top-of-the-table clash that took its toll on the Munich side, both physically and emotionally. And it was one that demonstrated once again just how fine the line between victory and disappointment can be.
“Obviously we’re disappointed in the end that we didn’t win. But I also need to make it clear to the players that the performance was good. We created the right moments,” said assistant coach Aaron Danks, who once again covered for his boss Vincent Kompany in his continued absence from the touchline due to illness.
Bayern had done so much right for a long time. Against a Dortmund side defending compactly, our team controlled the game for long spells, skilfully shifted play out wide and repeatedly found solutions even in tight spaces. Konrad Laimer and Alphonso Davies provided movement on the wings, whilst the defending champions were alert in their counter-pressing. Only the final touch was lacking at first. However, BVB put up a tenacious fight and made it clear why they, too, were still unbeaten going into this clash between first and second. Whenever the visitors pushed forward, they posed a real threat.
Kimmich’s return brings stability
One player who immediately made his mark on Bayern’s play once again was Joshua Kimmich. After sitting out three matches due to a bereavement in his immediate family, he returned to captain the side at the Allianz Arena. He demanded the ball, directed his teammates and set the tempo. Following the difficult days that had gone before, his presence was anything but a given.
“It’s been a very tough week. I’m glad to be back on the pitch. Regardless of the result, it has to be said that we’re going through a difficult spell at the moment. Now is the time to show whether we’re a team. We need to stick together,” Kimmich made clear afterwards.
Things were made harder within a matter of minutes, as Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry had to be substituted due to injury. Two further setbacks for a team that was already having to cope with a number of absences. Yet Bayern kept calm and carried on.
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And they found a way past the Dortmund defence with surprising frequency. Laimer’s opening goal following a superb one-two with Michael Olise was just one example of how Bayern were able to break through, even in the tightest of spaces, thanks to their pace, movement and technical precision. It was no coincidence that Bayern had managed 23 shots on goal by the end of the match, 18 of them from inside the penalty area.
Six clear-cut chances and an xG figure of 4.18 highlighted just how much our team had created against a good opponent. Dortmund, by contrast, managed an xG figure of just 0.63.
Bayern had plenty of chances to win this Klassiker. The woodwork often stood in their way, as was the case with Harry Kane’s penalty in the second half or Lennart Karl’s effort shortly before the final whistle. Of their 23 shots, only five were on target. At the other end, BVB showed just how little it sometimes takes to turn a game around.
Yet just as remarkable as their dominance on the pitch was Bayern’s response to the setbacks. When, after Kane had missed his penalty, Serhou Guirassy went on to score the first equaliser on the hour, the match was suddenly hanging in the balance. However, Bayern lost neither their organisation nor their belief. Instead, they continued to push forward with determination and regained the lead through Dayot Upamecano, following an assist from Kane.
This resilience had already been a hallmark of Bayern in recent weeks. It was evident against Dortmund too. However, this time it was not enough to secure victory. BVB remained a threat, refused to give up even after falling behind for the second time, and were rewarded for their tenacity with Fábio Silva’s late leveller.
“Especially when you look at how the match unfolded in the second half, I don’t think it was a fair draw. But that’s how it goes sometimes in football. BVB didn’t give up. In the end, we have to take the point, even though we obviously should have won,” Kimmich summed up.
The fact that Olise also had to come off injured made the evening all the more frustrating.
Another demanding game ahead
So it ended in a draw, which saw Bayern retain top spot in the Bundesliga table. But it also made it clear that this team does not lack in quality of play or team spirit. In a top-of-the-table clash like this, however, sometimes something else is needed: the determination to ensure that all that effort is rewarded.
“We’ve all emphasised many times before that we need every single player. We want to be in contention right until the end in every competition, and to do that you need the whole squad. We’re entering a phase right now where every single player is important. We’re sticking together and hope to win the two matches before the international break,” said a determined Laimer looking ahead.
There really isn’t much time left to dwell on the result. The next big challenge awaits on Tuesday away at Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
It’s a new opportunity to once again show everything that set Bayern apart against Dortmund – and to be rewarded for it this time round.
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