Bayern and Dortmund share the spoils

FC Bayern were held to a 2-2 draw by Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Saturday. Konrad Laimer put Bayern in front before half-time. Serhou Guirassy levelled the scores on the hour, but Dayot Upamecano restored Munich’s lead minutes later. Bayern had the better chances and hit the woodwork three times, but Fábio Silva’s late goal meant the top clash ended in a draw.

Munich started with Jonas Urbig in goal and Laimer, Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry, with Harry Kane up front. Saibari and Gnabry had to be subbed off in the first half, Nathaniel Brown and Josip Stanišić taking over. Lennart Karl came on for Michael Olise after a knock in the closing stages.

Up at half-time

It was an up-tempo contest with chances at both ends. Bayern got off to the better start and Kane put a free-kick into the wall before Olise hit the post. Urbig denied Jobe Bellingham before Saibari was through on goal but saw his effort saved and had to be subbed off with injury, as was the case with Gnabry minutes later.

Dortmund now had the ball in the net, but Bellingham’s goal was chalked off for offside, and it was Bayern who took the lead when Laimer intercepted a pass and was through on goal after a one-two with Olise. BVB Keeper Gregor Kobel parried his shot, but the Austrian mopped up the rebound. Kane saw a shot deflected behind and Bellingham aimed too high before Urbig beat Guirassy to a cross, with Maximilian Beier seeing his shot blocked.

Late setback

Munich almost made it two after the restart, but Kobel made a strong save against Laimer. Olise fired wide and a Laimer square was blocked before Bayern were awarded a penalty for handball, but Kane hit the crossbar. Dortmund levelled the scores when they won the ball and Carney Chukwuemeka set up Guirassy, who beat Urbig.

Bayern went looking for a reply and Kimmich saw two efforts blocked. Laimer hit the side-netting, but the champions soon restored their lead, Kimmich finding Kane, who nodded the ball back for Upamecano to turn home. Kane hit the post and saw another effort go inches wide. Dortmund equalised again when Pavlović’s clearance was blocked and Silva beat Urbig. Bayern pushed for a winner and Laimer saw a shot blocked before Karl hit the bar, but it was not to be on the day.

The result means Bayern top the table on 18 points, ahead of Saturday’s rivals on goal difference. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to face Atlético in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen