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It was an enthralling encounter between the German giants Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, as Der Klassiker lived up to its reputation and then some, producing one of the most entertaining games of the season so far.
Dortmund came into the game fresh off a loss at the hands of Atletico Madrid but did come into the game with a healthy 4 point lead over the reigning champions. They've been absolutely vibrant so far this season, and have one of the youngest teams in the top divisions of Europe. Their opponents, on the other hand, came into the game stuttering, having lost thrice in the league already this season, being porous at the back, and not prolific enough to cover that frailty up front.
The game started off with some high-pressure end to end football from both teams, as they both looked to test each other's deficiencies at the back. It was the Dortmund captain who got the first shot of the game at ten minutes but didn't test the under fire Bayern skipper Neuer, who'd conceded from all of the last 8 shots on target on his goal.
It was Polish international and former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski who eventually broke the deadlock at the 26th-minute mark after a long spell of attacking pressure from Bayern, as he ran into space between the Dortmund defence to tuck home a Serge Gnabry cross from the right wing. Bayern sustained their pressure on the Dortmund backline after scoring and could've scored more, but went into the break with a slender one-goal advantage.
Marco Reus earned himself a penalty early in the second half as Manuel Neuer made a clumsy challenge to bring him down in an attempt to claim the ball and the Dortmund captain levelled the score, sending his compatriot in goal the wrong way, turning the heat back up in the contest.
The Polish #9 put his team back into it a few minutes later, turning home a perfect chance from German right back Joshua Kimmich, showing some delightful awareness in the box, just as it looked like Dortmund were looking to get themselves on the front foot, but were stopped in their tracks by a ruthless Bayern.
Paco Alcacer came on at the 58th minute for Mario Gotze, and Dortmund started to look a different beast after that, testing the shaky and ageing German centre-backs on more occasions than one until Marco Reus finally broke through.
The Dortmund captain levelled it up again at the 67th minute with an absolutely world-class finish, and man in form Paco Alcacer gave the home side the lead by getting the best of the down in dumps German keeper at the 73rd minute, earning his side the victory. Here are the observations from the game.
#1 Bundesliga is finally not a one-horse race anymore
Bayern Munchen have won the past 6 Bundesliga titles, having faced little to no competition, winning four of the six leagues a month before the season ended, which showcases how the competitors had dropped off due to a number of reasons (one of which is Bayern buying a lot of the other clubs' best players, but whatever).
This season looks like a different story all together, as they have won only 6 of their 11 league games so far, sitting seven points behind the trail-blazing Dortmund team so far. The season could yet derail for the men in yellow, but Bayern's own shaky form means they might be in for a fight for the first time in a long time to get their hands on the league title.
#2 Dan-Axel Zagadou is a beast
Standing at a 190 cms tall, weighing in at 92 kgs, 19-year-old Frenchman Dan-Axel Zagadou has been a revelation at the back for Dortmund so far this season. He was trusted ahead of more experienced options like Omer Toprak to play the most important game of the season so far. The teenager did not let anyone down, dominating the Bayern strike force whilst playing with the assurance of someone who's been around at the top level for a very long time.
He won 10 of the 11 duels he was in on the night, executed 8 successful long balls, 8 clearances, 2 successful tackles, 5 ball recoveries, and 1 interception, capping off the best centre-back performance of the night. He is a truly magnificent player, and it won't be too long before the elite clubs of the world come knocking at Dortmund's door asking for him.
#3 It's been a tale of two different paths for these clubs so far
Bayern Munich chose to not recruit too many fresh faces for the start of the new season, despite lack of cover and major outgoings this season. They depended on players already at the club, and budget purchases Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka to fulfil major roles in the squad this season.
Not being more active in the transfer market must feel like a major mistake to the Bayern upper management right now, as their new recruits have failed to make the most dramatic of impacts so far.
The new manager has had to depend on players like Ribery and Robben, who whilst great players in their time, are now past their best and don't deserve to start at a club the stature of Bayern Munich, a club whose aim is to win every available title.
Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, have recruited more than wisely in the summer, making the purchases of Paco Alcacer, Achraf Hakimi (on loan from Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively) Thomas Delaney, Abdou Diallo and Axel Witsel in the summer. This has given the new manager the players he needs to implement his brand of football and lead this exciting young team forward with the best blend of attack and defence.
#4 Dortmund possesses a lot of future stars
Borussia Dortmund, unlike their Klassiker opponents, started a team full of youth and vigour, who were hungry to prove themselves on the big stage, and did just that, standing firm the test of facing the 6-time consecutive champions.
The Ruhr club possesses some of the best youth around the World, in teenage sensations Jadon Sancho and Dan-Axel Zagadou. They also boast in their ranks Christian Pulisic, Abdou Diallo, Julian Weigl, and Jacob Bruun Larsen, all of whom look to be current and future stars in their position.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand, have 21 players over the age of 29 at the club, with key wingers Ribery and Robben over 34, and Robert Lewandowski having recently turned 30. They aren't getting any younger, and their experience couldn't beat the youth and hunger of the Dortmund side, who were hungry for the victory, and deserved all 3 points for their hard work and determination to win on the night.
#5 Niko Kovac could be another unfortunate sacking this year
Former Frankfurt man Niko Kovac defeated his to be employers last season in the DFB Pokal final, which might have been the perfect audition. His appointment seemed a match made in heaven as Bayern got off to a flying start to the season, winning their first 9 games in all competitions this season, but tasted defeat at the hand of Hertha Berlin.
Munich fans were asked to remain calm by the board and players after their bad run of form reached a crescendo in form of a home defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach, and many fans were calling for him to be sacked.
The board stood by their man, re-stating that he was the right man for the job, but he hasn't been able to establish his ideas into the Bayern players, who have looked bereft of ideas up front and clueless at the back many a time this season.
Kovac wasn't given the ideal circumstances to come into the club, coming at a time when most of the stars are entering the final stages of their career.
The club needed to transition from what used to be to what will be, which they were unable to as Uli Hoeness kept his chequebook inside his pocket. This game might have been the final nail in his coffin, as his old and languid Bayern side were blown away by the youthful Dortmund in the second half, leaving Bayern in an unprecedented spot so far along in the season.
