Bayern edge Dortmund 3-2 in Der Klassiker thriller

Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, returned to the top of the table with an intense 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Der Klassiker derby today.

Level on points going into the match, today’s clash was understandably billed as the game of the season once again in Germany, and after a cagey first half that looked to end goalless, long-time Dortmund star, Marco Reus, cleverly turned in Raphaël Guerreiro’s low cross for a 45th-minute opener.

But, somehow, Dortmund failed to go in at the break a goal up, conceding a free-kick on the edge of their area, allowing David Alaba to smash home past former Bayern defender, Mats Hummels, who had scrambled back to his goal line to clear.

And just after the break, Bayern were back where they belong, as Robert Lewandowski glanced home Lucas Hernandez’ cross with a world-class headed finish across Roman Burki.

And with 10 minutes to go, it looked like game over, with Dortmund committed, Bayern broke before Lewandowski played the ball to Leroy Sane, who ran at Manuel Akanji before blasting through him for a 3-1 lead.

But, there was more drama to come, as a far from happy Erling Braut Håland collected a superb Guerreiro dink, and rounded Manuel Neuer, before slotting the ball underneath him, embarrassing the king of one-on-ones in the Bayern net.

Lewandowski looked to have instantly replied to the heir to his Bundesliga top scorer throne but was called offside, with Bayern hanging onto a narrow, but crucial 3-2 win.

The win leaves the Champions two points clear of Leipzig, who breezed past Freiburg 3-0 in a game that featured a laser long-range free-kick from Manchester City loanee Angelino while there was a huge clash at the bottom of the table, where Mainz collected their first points of the season against Schalke, who gifted them two penalties in a 2-2 draw.

His first Klassiker goal. A special moment for any Bayern player ❤️ #DerKlassiker @LeroySane19 pic.twitter.com/6tFOXhLAdP

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) November 7, 2020