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Last season’s cup clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern ended in a 5-2 win for the Dortmund. This season, though at an earlier stage, this match was as big as any in Europe in terms of quality, if not viewers. And this match did not disappoint, but was utterly lop sided in the favour of the Bavarian team; in all fairness, the scoreline did not show how Bayern dominated the night. Let us look at the match as whole.
Bayern Munich players celebrate after the German Cup quarter-final football match FC Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund in Munich, southern Germany, on February 27, 2013. Bayern Munich won the match 1-0.
Bayern started the game strongly with Robben at his deadly best. With Ribery suspended, Robben was filling in and admittedly staked a strong claim for a starting place. Bayern were solid all evening and their desire to win was a sight to behold. They defended from the front and Dortmund, without their leader Hummels to play the ball out, often kept getting pushed to the defending line. The referee rarely gave the game a chance to flow. While Dortmund did display a bit of fluidity with Gotze, Reus and Grobekutz shifting positions, the Bayern midfield dealt with them easily. Schweinsteiger was immense in the centre of the ground – he dropped back to defend when required, was the outlet for Bayern any time there was pressure, and passed the ball around with all the authority in the world. A moment in the first half when Bastian turned and lobbed the ball in a fluid motion onto Robben’s feet was truly magical. Robben had a good game; he broke clear in the 6th minute with Weindenfeller having to clear with his legs. Again, Bastian picked out his partner Martinez who flicked a volley with Weindenfeller saving again. The goal was born as a result of confusion in the Dortmund defense, but the finish had not an ounce of it; last night, Robben did not shoot every ball he saw but waited for his chance and took it well; he unleashed an unstoppable curling half volley which Weindenfeller could only watch as it passed him.
Dortmund started more brightly in the second half with Gundogan trying to impact the game, but soon Bayern were back in the form they were in the first half and started creating chances. Clever interplay down the left of the Bayern attack saw Alaba getting out of a tight corner to flick it to Robben who in turn put Muller in, but Weindenfeller saved again. Dortmund cleared the ball off the line from a corner, and the pressure was increasing, but the scoreline was remained the same. Van Buyten flashed a free header over the bar from 6 yards out. Kroos too missed an easy pass that would have put Mandzukic though and took a shot himself, which was parried. Dortmund were sloppy in attack; despite brilliant off the ball runs, the passing itself was faulty and the quick, precise interplay, which is the hallmark of this young team, deserted them today. Throughout the game, the link-up between Lahm and Robben was a treat to watch they found each other time and again. And even though Bayern could not score again, the performance was worthy of the German champions aiming for the UCL final. I would go out on a limb and say that this Bayern team is better than Barcelona, and would continue improving.
Borussia Dortmund-
Man of the Match-
Roman Weindenfeller: Wearing the captain’s armband, he gave in an inspiring performance and he, along with Bayern’s profligacy in front of goal, was the main reason that the scoreline remained 1-0.
Failures
Marko Reus: It might be a bit harsh but Reus had his worst game game in a black and yellow jersey he couldn’t complete 3 easy passes that would have put his teammates through. Was slow in possession and he, along with Gotze and Bender, was largely ineffective.
Bayern Munich-
Men of the match-
Arjen Robben- Seemed back to his old best showed an abundance of pace, awareness and vision for passing. Apart from the goal, his movement caused havoc in the Borussia defense.
Bastian Schweinstieger- He was a dynamo in the middle of the pitch, alternating between centre mid, auxiliary centre back and the left winger; he was everywhere and doing everything. Even Barcelona’s great midfield duo of Xavi and Iniesta are not this mobile. Bastian epitomized Bayern on the night – quick, ruthless and dominating.
