Improved performance in Munich unrewarded, as BVB suffer first defeat since March | OneFootball

75,000 spectators watched an exciting match at the Allianz Arena, in which a spirited BVB side fought hard to improve their performance after the break but were unable to reward themselves with a deserved equaliser. For Dortmund, it was not only their first defeat of the season, but also their first Bundesliga defeat since March.

Scenario: Bayern Munich went into the game as league leaders with a perfect record of six wins from their first six games. Borussia Dortmund were second, four points behind, and had also not suffered a league defeat this season. BVB had not lost in Munich since 1 April 2023.

Personnel matters: Dortmund coach Niko Kovac made three changes to his starting line-up compared to the 1-1 home draw against Leipzig before the international break: Niklas Süle, Julian Ryerson and Pascal Gross replaced Yan Couto, Ramy Bensebaini and Maximilian Beier.

Tactics:The Black & Yellows deployed their usual back three in defence, with Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson occupying the flanks. However, Kovac opted for a more defensive approach than in recent games, with Pascal Gross and Marcel Sabitzer providing cover in a double pivot role. Karim Adeyemi and Felix Nmecha played in attacking positions behind striker Serhou Guirassy. Bayern lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system.

The match: Bayern Munich made the first attacking move with a shot from Joshua Kimmich, which Gregor Kobel was able to turn away (4). Munich controlled the game in the early stages and kept the ball moving around the park. The Black & Yellows seemed too passive on the whole. Bayern’s share of possession was 70% at one point. Michael Olise had a chance to open the scoring in the 11th minute, but Kobel saved his powerful shot from the right – only for it to rebound to Luis Diaz, who was also denied by the Dortmund keeper from a tight angle.

The home side finally took a 1-0 lead from a set piece: Kimmich delivered a corner into the centre of the box, which Harry Kane headed in from close range at the near post. The Englishman looked to have pushed Serhou Guirassy in the aerial duel beforehand, but VAR did not intervene and the goal stood (22). Borussia became a little more proactive in the subsequent phase and pushed deeper into the opposition’s half. However, this did not result in any clear-cut chances. Bayern remained the dominant team, and full-back Sacha Boey, who had pushed forward, had the chance to score the second goal, but his low shot drifted just past the bottom left corner of the Dortmund goal (32). BVB then had a lucky escape when a shot from Olise hit the outside of the post in the 36th minute.

An improved performance after the break

BVB almost got off to a flying start after the break, but Felix Nmecha’s header from a Ryerson free kick flew just wide of the target (49). Kovac then instructed his team to play more offensively: Gross moved up alongside Adeyemi, so that the Black & Yellows played in their usual 3-4-3 formation. In the 59th minute, Guirassy had a sight of goal but perhaps rushed his shot and fired over the mark. The visitors were much better overall than before the break, with Svensson in particular being sought out repeatedly on the left wing. Adeyemi had a great chance to equalise at 1-1, but slipped in the box when latching onto a pass from Guirassy and subsequently shot wide (65).

BVB continued to push hard for the equaliser. At the back, Schlotterbeck prevented a clear chance for the opposition with a world-class tackle on Olise (72). But it was during this strong phase for Dortmund that Munich scored their next goal: after a long ball from Kane, Luis Diaz skipped past Waldemar Anton into the box and played the ball across goal. Substitute Jobe Bellingham tried to clear the cross in the centre, but lost his bearings slightly. Olise slid in to knock the ball off Bellingham’s foot from close range and make it 2-0 (79).

But shortly afterwards, Kovac’s substitute made an impact: Nico Schlotterbeck played a long ball forward. Julian Ryerson crossed the ball into the box from the right and Julian Brandt, who had come on as a substitute just seconds earlier, slotted home to make it 2-1 (84). BVB pushed hard for an equaliser in the final minutes, but it was not to be.

Teams & goals

Bundesliga Matchday 7BAYERN MUNICH 2–1 (1-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Bayern Munich: Neuer – Boey (83, Bischof), Upamecano, Tah, Laimer – Kimmich, Pavlovic (90+2 Kim) – Olise, Kane, Luis Diaz – Jackson (61, Goretzka)Borussia Dortmund: Kobel – Anton, Schlotterbeck, Süle (46, Bensebaini) – Ryerson, Gross (83, Brandt), Sabitzer (73, Bellingham), Svensson – Nmecha, Adeyemi (73, Beier) – Guirassy (83, Fabio Silva)Substitutes: Ulreich, Urbig, Guerreiro, Daiber, Karl, Mike – Meyer, Yan Couto, Chukwuemeka, Özcan Goals: 1-0 Kane (22), 2-0 Olise (79), 2-1 Brandt (84)Referee: Dankert (Rostock), bookings: Laimer – Ryerson, Anton, BensebainiAttendance: 75,000 (sold-out), weather: cloudy, 6 degrees celsius