Thomas Tuchel’s reign as Bayern Munich manager got off to the perfect start as they inflicted a heavy 4-2 defeat on league leaders Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.
The Bavarians scored three times in 10 first-half minutes – with Thomas Muller grabbing a brace – as they sent out a statement to their title rivals.
Kingsley Coman scored the fourth in the second half but Gregor Kobel’s own goal has set the ball rolling, with Bayern leapfrogging Edin Terzic’s side in the Bundesliga table by two points. Emre Can and Donyell Malen netted consolations for the visitors.
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Dortmund were full of confidence after winning nine of their previous 10 league games but a howler by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel gave the hosts the initiative. The 25-year-old raced off his line in an attempt to make a routine clearance but missed a clean connection with the ball grazing his leg and bouncing into an empty net after a Dayot Upamecano long ball.
Things went from bad to worse, Muller bundling Matthijs de Ligt’s flick-on over the line from Joshua Kimmich’s corner, and five minutes later he slotted home a rebound after Kobel could only parry Leroy Sane’s shot.
Coman put the game beyond Dortmund’s reach five minutes after the restart with a tap-in at the far post, finishing Sane’s defence-splitting pass.
The visitors rallied with two late goals but ultimately, it was too little too late.
Jude Bellingham had a quiet game by his high standards but won a spot-kick when he was clipped by substitute Serge Gnabry and Can made no mistake with his penalty before Malen netted in stoppage-time.
Bayern Munich now lead the way by two points in the table, with Union Berlin four points adrift in third.
Talking point – Dortmund crumble in Der Klassiker once more
Deja-vu for Dortmund as they lose a ninth straight game to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena – and this one will particularly hurt.
A phenomenal run of form since January had their loyal supporters dreaming of a first Bundesliga title since 2012, but the feel-good factor evaporated in 10 first-half minutes. Their old rivals have re-exposed Dortmund’s soft underbelly and delivered a psychological blow at a crucial time of the season.
With only eight league games remaining, Bayern have taken command of the title race and how quickly Dortmund can bounce back will be key.
Player of the match – Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Bayern’s Mr Reliable grabbed career goals 13 and 14 against his club’s arch-rivals at a crucial time in the game, flattening the visitors’ spirits.
Player ratings
Bayern Munich: Sommer 6, Pavard 7, Upamecano 7, De Ligt 8, Coman 8, Kimmich 7, Goretzka 8, Davies 7, Sane 8, Muller 9*, Choupo-Moting 7.. subs: Gnabry 6, Mane 6, Cancelo N/A, Gravenberch N/A, Musiala N/A.
Dortmund: Kobel 3, Wolf 5, Sule 5, Schlotterbeck 5, Ryerson 4, Bellingham 6, Can 5, Guerreiro 5, Brandt 4, Haller 5, Reus 5.. subs: Ozcan 5, Dahoud 5, Hummels 5, Moukoko 5, Malen 7.
Match highlights
13’ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 DORTMUND (GREGOR KOBEL OG): Oh my, what a mistake by Kobel! It’s an unbelievable howler from Dortmund’s goalkeeper as he races off his line in an attempt to make a routine clearance from Upamecano’s long punt forward but misses his kick! The ball bounces into the back of the empty net and it’s going to go down as a Kobel OG!
18’ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 2-0 DORTMUND (THOMAS MULLER): Muller doubles Bayern’s advantage! From a corner, he’s in the right place at the right time as he bundles De Ligt’s headed flick-on into the back of the net. It’s his 13th career goal against Dortmund and it’s a long way back now for the league leaders.
23’ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 3-0 DORTMUND (THOMAS MULLER): This is too easy for Bayern! They’re running away with it now! Dortmund try and fail to play out from the back as they concede possession cheaply once more. Sane shoots from distance and Kobel can only parry it into the path of Muller who is left with a simple tap-in.
50’ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 4-0 DORTMUND (KINGSLEY COMAN): That will do it! Coman makes a clever run to the far post and steers the ball home from Sane’s defence-splitting pass.
72’ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 4-1 DORTMUND (EMRE CAN): A consolation for the visitors! Sommer dives the right way but can’t keep his spot-kick out.
90’ – GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 4-2 DORTMUND (DONYELL MALEN): Malen gets the goal his cameo deserves. After playing a one-two with Guerriero, he finds the far corner with a nice finish. Too little too late for the visitors.
Key stats
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