Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund played out an enthralling 2-2 draw in Der Klassiker, keeping the title race wide open heading into the final five games of the season.
Bayern Munich 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Beier 48′ (assist: Ryerson), 1-1 Warrior 65 '(Assist: Müller), 2-1 Gnabry 69′, 2-2 Anton 75′
The Allianz Arena provided the stage for another enthralling edition of The classic as Bayern and Dortmund battled to a 2-2 draw. The match, crucial for both teams’ ambitions this season, lived up to its billing with four second-half goals and numerous twists and turns. For Thomas Müller, it marked a significant milestone as he equalled Mats Hummels’ record of 29 Klassiker appearances.
Bayern’s Thomas Müller is now the joint-appearances record holder in the Klassiker alongside Mats Hummels. – Imago/Bernd Error/Mis
The first half was a tense affair, with both sides probing for weaknesses but unable to break the deadlock. Bayern dominated possession, controlling 62 percent of the ball, but struggled to convert their superiority into clear-cut chances. Michael Olise was particularly active for Bayern, creating several opportunities. Dortmund, meanwhile, remained disciplined in defence and looked to hit on the counter. Müller came closest for the hosts, narrowly missing the target with a left-footed effort, while Julian Brandt’s shot into the side netting represented Dortmund’s best opportunity.
Michael Olise shoots through a forest of Dortmund defenders in a llively first-half performance for Bayern. – Imago/Mladen Lackovic
The game burst into life just three minutes after the restart. Maximilian Beier stunned the Allianz Arena, heading home a Julian Ryerson cross to give Dortmund a 1-0 lead. The goal came against the run of play but highlighted Dortmund’s clinical edge, the visitors having scored with their first shot on target. Beier’s goal was a testament to Dortmund’s effective counter-attacking strategy.
Maximilian Beier celebrates his opening goal in Munich. – Imago/Tim Rehbein/Rhr-Foto
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany responded with a triple substitution, bringing on Raphaël Guerreiro, Aleksandar Pavlović, and Serge Gnabry. The changes paid immediate dividends. In the 65th minute, Guerreiro, facing his former club, levelled the score with a well-placed shot from inside the box after good work from Gnabry and a defdt lay-off from Müller. Just four minutes later, Gnabry put Bayern ahead, finishing clinically following a dazzling solo run to make it 2-1 to the hosts.
Serge Gnabry (left) and Aleksandar Pavlović celebrate Bayern’s equaliser against Dortmund. – IMAGO
Just as it seemed Bayern had seized control, Dortmund struck back. In the 75th minute, Waldemar Anton reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box following a Serhou Guirassy shot, firing home to level the scores at 2-2, setting up a grandstand finish to an already thrilling encounter.
The final minutes saw both sides push for a winner, with Bayern’s Harry Kane and Dortmund’s Carney Chukwuemeka both coming close. However, neither team could find the decisive goal, and the match ended in a fitting 2-2 draw. The result reflected the balanced nature of the contest, with Bayern’s dominance in possession (62 percent) and shots (26 to 11) offset by Dortmund’s clinical finishing.
The Bayern vetern, playing in his final Klassiker prior to leaving his boyhood club at the end of the season, was superb going forward and provided the crucial assist for Guerreiro to equalise in the second half.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bayern 2.47 – Dortmund 1.89
Fastest player: Leroy Sané (Bayern), 34.3 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-2 by Waldemar Anton (Dortmund), 18 percent
Most pressed player: Michael Olise (Bayern), 35 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Joshua Kimmich (Bavaria), +6.39
Fantasy Heroes: Michael Olise (Bayern, 299 Points), Waldemar Anton (Dortmund, 258 Points), Gregor Kobel (Dortmund, 255 Points)
