FC Bayern Munich lost the top game in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund and is now 13 points behind Bayer Leverkusen, who had previously defeated TSG Hoffenheim with two late goals. The man of the day in BVB’s 2-0 (1-0) win: Mats Hummels.
Karim Adeyemi gave Dortmund the lead in the 10th minute, Julian Ryerson decided the game in the 83rd minute – so the two goalscorers, alongside Hummels, who prevented goals from being conceded on several occasions, should have eliminated the last bit of supposed tension in the title fight.
To the live ticker: FC Bayern – Borussia Dortmund arrow right 27th matchday arrow right
To put it into perspective: Leverkusen, which has not lost any of the 39 competitive games so far this season, is only expected to win two of the last seven league games, while Bayern would have to get through the remaining matchdays unscathed. The probability of this happening is close to zero – the people of Munich also know that.
Thomas Klinger, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 9:12 p.m
“I’m very disappointed,” Munich’s sports director Max Eberl told the Sportschau, “we don’t play football well, we play very unfocused. The players don’t bring the performance they’re capable of onto the pitch.” Dortmund’s coach was satisfied: “I think we played a really good game today, both individually and as a team. We defended very well and were very good on the ball. That’s why it was a very deserved win for us today.”
Bayern’s stormy start with consequences
FC Bayern dominated the game from the start – but Dortmund struck coldly in the early stages. Thomas Müller invited the guests to counterattack with a serious bad pass, Adeyemi accepted the invitation after Julian Brandt presented him (10th minute). Sven Ulreich, who had to replace the injured Manuel Neuer, also didn’t look too happy in his rescue attempt.
However, this action did not change the image of the game. Even after that, Munich pressed, Dortmund countered – and were lucky. Harry Kane should have scored the equalizer after a cross from Joshua Kimmich, but the top scorer headed past the opponent’s goal from five meters, completely unmarked (23′).
Thomas Klinger, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 9:10 p.m
Dortmund’s Hummels causes Bavarian horror
The man in the first half was not Adeyemi, but Mats Hummels. With his 29th appearance in the meeting, the 35-year-old is now not only the sole Bayern vs. Dortmund record holder, but he also presented himself in really strong form, among others, for national coach Julian Nagelsmann – with an absolute highlight.
In the 35th minute, Eric Dier headed the ball from one meter, Bayern were already getting ready to celebrate – but then Hummels arrived. The defender blocked the ball at head level with an artistic move with his foot and prevented the equalizer. An action that was just as important as the Adeyemi goal, and Hummels also impressed with strong tackles and good positional play.
Munich’s Kane is too imprecise in his finishing
Hummels also ensured his team’s security at the beginning of the second half by winning the ball several times – but one of his colleagues missed the great opportunity to make it 2-0. Felix Nmecha scored from close range, but shot too unplaced and Ulreich was able to parry (52′).
On the other side, Kane had his second high-caliber player – and again he left it behind. After a corner, the ball fell on his head again just in front of the BVB goal, and again he pushed it past and out of the goal (67th). Kane has scored 31 goals so far this season, but against Dortmund he lacked the precision needed to add to his tally.
Hummels “stoles” the equalizer from Kane, Ryerson puts a lid on it
Immediately afterwards, Hummels had his next top-class performance. Kingsley Coman brought the ball sharply towards Kane, who only had to hit the empty goal, but Hummels slipped between the cross and was able to save Dortmund’s lead again (68th).
This was followed by an almost uninterrupted attack by Bayern – but the BVB defense held firm in the final phase and didn’t allow any major opportunities. Instead, the guests took advantage of one of their many counterattack opportunities and extended the lead to 2-0 through Julian Ryerson (83′). Dortmund achieved their first away win in the league in Munich in almost exactly ten years. And they almost made Leverkusen champions.
Bayern in Heidenheim, Dortmund against Stuttgart
The Munich team will be in action against 1. FC Heidenheim next matchday (Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.). BVB is once again challenged in the top game. This time it’s against VfB (6.30 p.m.).