Bayern Munich have taken a huge step towards the Bundesliga title with a 1-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Tuesday evening.
Following an extremely competitive first-half, Bayern took the lead in the 43rd minute with a stunning 20-yard chip from Joshua Kimmich. Both sides produced a very entertaining affair but once again Hansi Flick’s men did just enough to earn the win as they move eight points clear of their great rivals at the top of the table.
Close escapes for both
The game almost got off to a very dramatic start as the red-hot Erling Haaland nearly opened the scoring. A mistake from Manuel Neuer saw the Norwegian have a great chance but Jerome Boateng got back well to clear the ball off of the line.
Łukasz Piszczek was then the hero for the hosts as he too produced a goal line clearance of his own. Kingsley Coman managed to pick out Serge Gnabry, with the forward swivelling and striking low towards goal, only to see his effort launched away by the Pole.
Inventine Kimmich breaks deadlock
In what was becoming a real end-to-end affair, Bayern seized a priceless lead just before the break through Kimmich. Following a good exchange on the edge of the Dortmund penalty area, the midfielder picked up the ball and stunningly chipped it beyond the despairing grasp of Roman Burki and into the back of the net.
Haaland, who was uncharacteristically quiet throughout the majority of the match, had an opportunity to equalise in the second-half but had his low drive deflected wide by Boateng with what seemed like a hand but neither the referee nor VAR were moved.
Bayern deny Dortmund again
As the second-half wore on, Lucien Favre’s men got ever closer to an equaliser. Thorgan Hazard shaved the upright with a low effort, with Mahmoud Dahoud also forcing a big paw out of Neuer with a booming shot from distance.
There was an opportunity in the final moments for the visitors to seal their victory as the ball fell to Thomas Muller at the far post but he could not divert his effort towards goal. One was all that was required though as Bayern saw out the game to secure what was a humongous three points in context of the Bundesliga title race.
Final Thoughts
Considering the magnitude of this game, it was probably fitting that it was decided by a simply stunning strike from Kimmich. Both sides deserve credit for how they approached the game but once again, it was Bayern’s relentless appetite for winning that proved the difference on the day. Bayern now sit well clear and but for a dramatic drop in form, will be lifting their eighth successive Bundesliga crown come the end of the season.
Match Report
Borussia Dortmund: Burki (6); Akanji (7), Hummels (7), Piszczek (8) (Gotze (N/A) 80′); Guerreiro (6), Dahoud (7) (Witsel (N/A), 85′), Delaney (5) (Can (6), 45′), Hakimi (6); Brandt (6) (Sancho (6), 45′), Hazard (6), Haaland (6) (Reyna (5), 72′).
Bayern Munich: Neuer (6); Davies (8), Alaba (6), Boateng (7) (Hernandez (N/A), 85′), Pavard (6); Goretzka (7), Kimmich (8); Gnabry (6) (Martinez (N/A), 87′), Muller (6), Coman (6) (Perisic (6), 73′); Lewandowski (6).
Goals: Kimmich (43′)
Referee: Tobias Stieler
Yellow Cards: Hummels (13′), Muller (66′), Dahoud (67′), Davies (74′)
Red Cards: N/A
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