Borussia Dortmund was able to stand up to FC Bayern for a long time in the top Bundesliga game and could hope for a win. Only Jamal Musiala ended BVB’s dreams. Harry Kane’s injury is a cause for concern for the league leaders.
Exceptional footballer Jamal Musiala saved FC Bayern Munich’s unbeaten streak in a thrilling Bundesliga classic against Borussia Dortmund. The national player gave the leaders at least one more point against their eternal rivals with his header in the 85th minute to make it 1-1 (0-1). With the draw, coach Vincent Kompany’s team defended their ten-point lead over fifth-placed BVB.
Jamie Gittens (27th) had previously given the committed hosts the lead with a dream goal. 81,365 spectators in the sold-out Dortmund stadium saw a balanced and atmospheric showdown between the German football giants, in which Bayern had to cope with a potentially serious personnel setback: super striker Harry Kane was substituted in the first half due to an injury – and in just three days it will be over FCB’s next big hit in the DFB Cup against Bayer Leverkusen.
Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin called for “courage” from his team before the game. But the Munich team got off to a better start. The guests put BVB under pressure early on in the build-up to the game, repeatedly provoking Dortmund inaccuracies. Already in the 2nd minute, Julian Ryerson had to make up for a mistake by teammate Marcel Sabitzer. Shortly afterwards, Leroy Sané tested Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel with a powerful long-range shot.
Initially there was little offensive from the hosts, who were missing playmaker Julian Brandt due to injury. The Bayern defense blocked a first attempt by striker Serhou Guirassy, who made his starting eleven comeback (22′). The Dortmund team, who had recently been plagued by injuries, also suffered another personnel setback early on: central defender Waldemar Anton had to go down. He was replaced by ex-Bayern professional Niklas Süle, who was back in action for the first time in over a month due to an injury.
Gittens sprints to make it 1-0
The Westphalians weren’t shocked by the next failure – on the contrary. BVB got better and better into the game, held up well in the duels and took the lead through an outstanding individual effort. Gittens made Konrad Laimer look quite old in the running duel. The winger moved into the penalty area from the left and beat Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal with a precise shot into the top right corner.
And things got even worse for Munich: Suddenly top scorer Kane was sitting on the ground. The exceptional attacker also had to leave the pitch injured. Thomas Müller, who came on as a substitute for the Englishman, had his first chance shortly after coming on, but didn’t get enough pressure on his header.
Shortly after the break, the original Munich player should have equalized. However, Müller did not shoot well enough in front of Kobel. Almost in return, Gittens missed the 2-0.
Bayern had to come – and they came. Because this created gaps for counterattacks, an open exchange of blows developed at times. Leroy Sané shot past the goal from a free stand. Dortmund’s Sabitzer found his match in Neuer during a quick counterattack.
As the game went on, the pressure from the guests increased. The Kompany team kept circulating the ball around the Dortmund penalty area. Dortmund initially held out and the fans in black and yellow loudly celebrated every successful tackle. Five minutes before the end of regular time, Bayern got their deserved equalizer. Magic foot Musiala scored – and, as so often happens, with his head. When Michael Olise sent a cross, the national player was completely free.
lwö/dpa
