Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and rivals Borussia Dortmund fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw in “Der Klassiker” on Saturday, April 12th, with all four goals coming in a rollercoaster second half. The result maintains Bayern’s six-point lead at the top of the table after second-placed Bayer Leverkusen were held 0-0 by Union Berlin earlier in the day.
Bayern, looking to bounce back from their Champions League first-leg defeat to Inter Milan, dominated the first half at the Allianz Arena but were repeatedly denied by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who made key saves from Harry Kane (twice) and Michael Olise. Dortmund offered little attacking threat before the break, failing to register a shot on target.
The visitors stunned the home crowd three minutes into the second half when Maximilian Beier headed them in front, unmarked at the far post. Bayern responded almost immediately, with Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton hitting his own crossbar during a goalmouth scramble.
The equalizer arrived in the 65th minute through Raphael Guerreiro’s low shot. Bayern then took the lead just four minutes later when substitute Serge Gnabry scored with a sensational solo effort, cutting inside and firing home from distance.
However, Dortmund hit back again in the 75th minute. Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig could only parry Serhou Guirassy’s acrobatic bicycle kick into the path of Anton, who slotted home the rebound to level the scores at 2-2.
“Until the first goal… the game was more or less positive for us,” said Bayern coach Vincent Kompany. “After the first goal it became a Cup game. I would buy a ticket to watch a game like this but as a coach you want a little bit more control. But we wanted to be six points ahead of Leverkusen at the end of the weekend and we have that.”
Dortmund coach Niko Kovač acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly Tuesday’s Champions League second leg against Barcelona where they trail 4-0. “We have a tough game on Tuesday. We know the situation. We want to win that game,” he said, adding regarding the league, “I hope to continue this run (two wins, one draw). We still have points to earn.”
The draw leaves Bayern top with 69 points, six clear of Leverkusen (63 points) with five games remaining. Dortmund remain eighth on 42 points, six points adrift of the top four. Both teams now turn their focus to difficult Champions League second-leg encounters next week.
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