Three takeaways from the Klassiker: Harry Kane turns into Mr Versatile | OneFootball

FC Bayern continues its winning streak in the Bundesliga. In the classic match against Borussia Dortmund, the Munich side made things unnecessarily tense, but ultimately deservedly won 2-1. FCBinside presents three key takeaways from the match.

Even though the result may appear close at first glance and Bayern wobbled briefly in the final phase, the victory was ultimately well-deserved. The numbers impressively prove this: Kompany’s team had around 60 percent possession and recorded seven shots on goal—BVB, on the other hand, managed only one in 90 minutes. Especially in the first half, the visitors were completely without a chance: 0 shots, 26 percent possession, and an xG value of 0.00.

The match provided three clear insights:

1. Bayern can win without brilliance

Photo: IMAGO/Sven Simon

In recent weeks, Bayern swept their opponents off the pitch one after another. There was a 6-0 goal fest against Leipzig, and Eintracht Frankfurt was dispatched 3-0. But the victory against BVB showed: the record champions can prevail even without sparkling football. While in previous years they often dropped points despite dominating, Kompany’s team saw out the win confidently this time. When Dortmund applied pressure midway through the second half, the team stood together and resisted.

Joshua Kimmich emphasized how important this mentality is after the final whistle: “We showed that we have a team out there. Even when there are obstacles, we fight back. That was extremely important for us as a team today.”

The 2-0 by Michael Olise in the 78th minute is symbolic of this—right in the middle of Dortmund’s pressing phase. After a mishit cross from Luis Diaz, Jobe Bellingham hesitated too long, Olise reacted instantly and forced the ball over the line with sheer willpower. Fittingly, the skillful technician, who had previously missed several chances and hit the post, rewarded himself and his team with relentless effort.

2. Harry Kane is everywhere

Of course, there’s no getting around Harry Kane this time either. The 32-year-old Englishman paved the way to victory with his opening goal in the 22nd minute—and indirectly set up the 2-0 with a spectacular pre-assist.

Because Serge Gnabry was out, Nicolas Jackson moved up front, while Kane played as a number ten—a role he filled with impressive ease, precision, and football intelligence. His diagonal balls opened up space, and his vision at times resembled that of a quarterback.

Kane was everything in the classic: goal scorer, playmaker, and battler. In the final phase, when Dortmund threw everything forward, Kane threw himself into every ball, every duel—symbolic of his tireless commitment.

The Englishman not only scores regularly (12 goals in 7 Bundesliga matches, 19 in 11 competitive games), he also works like a midfield engine. “He’s everywhere on the pitch. He’s not above blocking shots. Maybe he’s younger and his pass is lying,” joked Konrad Laimer after the match.

Bayern’s social media team also paid tribute and posted Kane’s heatmap—a green sea across the entire pitch.

3. Nicolas Jackson remains an outsider

Photo: IMAGO/Jan Huebner

While Kane shone, Nicolas Jackson had a difficult evening. The Senegalese was a late addition to the starting eleven for the injured Serge Gnabry, but couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity.

The 24-year-old was certainly committed, pressed early, and showed effort, but in Bayern’s fluid attack, he seemed out of place among the skillful technicians Kane, Olise, and Diaz. He posed little goal threat and was consequently substituted shortly after halftime.

The problem: this pattern has persisted throughout his appearances so far. With the exception of the Champions League match against Pafos FC, the Chelsea loanee has hardly impressed. At present, it seems out of the question that FCB will exercise the €65 million purchase option in summer 2026.

At the latest, with the return of Jamal Musiala, Jackson will have to fight for every minute of play—his place in Bayern’s attack is anything but secure.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.