Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund - 5 Talking Points

Final score: Bayern 2-1 Dortmund

Scorers: Jerome Boateng (12'), Thomas Muller (40') and Andriy Yarmolenko (77')

Goals from Jérôme Boateng (12’), Thomas Müller (40’), put Bayern past Dortmund in the DFB Pokal round of 16 fixture. Dortmund’s goal from Andriy Yarmolenko (77’) sparked some life, but it was too late.

It was the home side Bayern Munich that came out victorious in the second ‘Der Klassiker’ of the season. This was a fair result as Bayern have been in fine form, with 14 wins in their last 15 games this season, while Dortmund have had a terrible first half to the season; only 3 wins in their last 15 games, which led to the sacking of manager Peter Bosz earlier this month.

The new man in charge of Dortmund, Peter Stöger, won his first 2 league games with Dortmund but failed to impress fans with a disappointing result tonight.

Here are 5 talking points from the clash of titans in Germany:

#5 The new system doesn’t work

Dortmund's main men, Reus and Aubameyang are players who define Dortmund's attacking style of play

Stöger set up his Dortmund side to play an unusual three-man defence with Marcel Schmelzer and Jeremy Toljan reinforcing as wing-backs. However, this clearly did not work, as Dortmund did not get any control over the game, and went 1-0 down early on.

Dortmund this season have mostly played with a four-man backline, and they were unable to adapt to the different style. Stöger understood this and subbed on Mahmoud Dahoud (midfield) for Marc Bartra (centre back) in the 34th minute, and switched back to a natural Dortmund shape.

The players at Dortmund suit a more attacking style of play like they played under Thomas Tuchel last season. Stöger’s new system that he deployed tonight was much more defensive and pressure-absorbing, which wasn’t effective at all.

#4 The importance of Aubameyang

The Bundesliga top scorer last season, Aubameyang

Dortmund’s top scorer this season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, was unavailable due to a hip problem. His absence was detrimental to Dortmund’s attacking play, and it was clear to see, especially in the first half, as Dortmund only took 1 shot.

Andriy Yarmolenko and Cristian Pulsic started up front as the two strikers, and although Yarmolenko did score, and Pulsic was a great threat down the left flank, both players are wingers and not natural strikers. Had Aubameyang been on the pitch, he would’ve greatly complimented the two winger’s attacking efforts.

There were several chances throughout the game where had their natural number 9 been in the same situation, he would’ve scored. Dortmund made a mistake of not signing a backup striker in the summer. They do have Alexander Isak, but he is 18 and does not have enough experience.

#3 Dortmund could’ve won if they started right

Dortmund are much more effective attacking than they are defending

Dortmund were terrible in the first half. Roman Bürki’s performance was the only reason Bayern were only 2-0 ahead; it could’ve been much more. Dortmund took 1 shot in the first half and didn’t win any corners in comparison with Bayern, who had 10 shots, 5 on target, and won 3 corners. Bayern utterly dominated the first half and were deservedly 2-0 up.

In the second half, Dortmund played a much better game, and Bayern switched off; Dortmund had 64% possession, 10% higher pass accuracy and twice as many shots as Bayern. In the second half, the visitors were much more attacking, and if they started the game the way they played in the last 30 minutes, Dortmund could’ve seriously dealt damage to Bayern.

Had Stöger deployed a normal line up and let the players attack, the result may have been very different.

#2 The Jupp Heynckes effect

Jupp Heynckes winning the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2013

After being appointed as the manager of Bayern Munich in October, Bayern have played 16, won 15 and lost 1. The 15 wins include three wins over Borussia Dortmund and two wins over RB Leipzig, arguably 2 of Bayern’s strongest title rivals, and a win over PSG who are favourites to win this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Other than the amazing record, the arrival of Heynckes has re-ignited the form of many of Bayern’s senior players such as Vidal, Müller, Boateng and Martínez, who had all been sub-par under the management of Ancelotti. Even Sven Ulreich, who has spent most of his Bayern days on the bench, has been playing exceptionally well.

Jupp Heynckes has managed Bayern twice before, and during his last stint, he won the treble (DFB Pokal, UEFA Champions League and the German Bundesliga) in the 2012/13 season. Bayern fans will be hoping that he brings a similar trophy haul this season as well.

#1 The domestic dominance of Bayern is likely to continue

Bayern winning the Bundesliga in 2016

At the halfway point of the Bundesliga season, Bayern lead the way, 11 points ahead of second-placed Schalke. Dortmund, Leverkusen, Leipzig and Mönchengladbach all sit with 28 points, in that order. Bayern also have the highest goal difference at +26, the next highest being Dortmund with +15.

Clearly, the champions are again, way ahead of the pack, and with Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers in the world returning from injury in 2018, the likelihood of them slipping is very slim.

Even the DFB Pokal seems within their grasps, as the only clubs in the top half of the Bundesliga that remain in the competition are Schalke, Leverkusen and Frankfurt.

The fact that Bayern have beaten all the clubs stated above, Dortmund thrice and Leipzig twice, shows how they’re on a different level to the other Bundesliga clubs.

With most of their players back to top form, including veterans Robben and Ribéry, and new additions in Tolisso, James, Süle and Rudy, Bayern can look forward to a very promising 2018.