Was Nagelsmann able to win the game because of the referee? Bayern did not look very good, but they still got all three points.
Initial reactions to and observations
- Bayern Munich might have won but Nagelsmann is not convincing anyone. It was an awful, terrible performance that we couldn’t have predicted. Hummels was a lucky man to act as a double agent in Dortmund’s game today. Dortmund would have won the three points or at least a draw.
- The game was ruined by the referee. Bayern’s penalty call was very iffy and BVB saw a very close call by VAR when Lucas Hernandez brought down Marco Reus inside the box. It was a very entertaining match, but the final score doesn’t seem fair. Dortmund fans are entitled to fume.
- Dayot Upamecano is still a mystery. He can be both good and bad in one game. Sometimes it’s hard to see his face. It’s not a good look for a 40m Euro defender.
- Jamal Musiala keeps getting subbed to the middle. Nags, put him on the wing! Let him dribble.
- Bayern will continue to play like this if teams like Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid don’t stop playing. Nagelsmann must answer for his performance. We’ll accept the points, but we must improve.
Full time: Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2.
78’ — Marco Rose has now been SENT OFF.
77’ — GOAL! Dortmund fans will be fuming. VAR awards a penalty for a Hummels handball, which Lewandowski converts.
73’ — Subs: They’re dropping like flies! Hernandez twists his ankle and he comes off for Sule.
66’ — Really bad head-to-head collision between Brandt and Upamecano. Looks like Brandt will be taken off. No word on Upa yet.
64’ — Subs: Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry on for Goretzka and Sane.
53’ — Controversy! Dortmund have a penalty shout denied. It looked like it could’ve been given. Oof.
47’ — Goal. Oh god, this is awful. Haaland curls it in past Manuel Neuer straight after HT.
45’ — The second half is underway!
Halftime observations and analysis
- Bayern Munich was able to fight back from a 2-1 deficit and regain the lead. Dortmund’s “pass to Haaland strategy has been a success. The defensive shape looks good. Nagelsmann has a lot to think about in the dressing area.
- Mats Hummels is a true Bayern fan today.
- Thomas Muller has pulled out all his tricks today. He’s seriously dribbling and breaking ankles. Wow.
- Although Kingsley Coman’s decision-making is still frustrating, he has improved his ability to score goals. No wonder Gnabry can’t get a game. But what about Musiala, though?
- These games might be started by Niklas Sule.
Halftime: Bayern lead 2-1.
43’ — GOAL! Kingsley Coman scores after a mix-up from BVB. 2-1 to Bayern.
8’ — GOAL! Lewandowski makes it 1-1 thanks to some aggressive pressing from Muller. What a duo!
5’ — Goal. Awful start for Bayern, Brandt puts one past Neuer.
Kickoff: We’re underway in Dortmund! Can Nagelsmann and Bayern find a win?
One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! Looks like Leon Goretzka was fit enough to start, so no need for Musiala to play in the #8 position. Niklas Sule also starts on the bench with Benjamin Pavard at the right-back position, so maybe we’ll see the pseudo back-three again. Let’s hope Bayern Munich performs better than the last few games.
This game is so well-known that there’s not much more to be said about it. Bayern Munich meets Borussia Borussia Dortmund you know there is a title at stake.
Julian Nagelsmann will have a lot of work this time. BVB will benefit from Erling Haaland’s return, while Bayern will be without their main midfielders Joshua Kimmich or Leon Goretzka. According to reports, Jamal Musiala will be playing the #6 spot. But who knows how it will turn out.
These two teams are separated by just one point in the league table, so the game will have significant implications for the title race. It will take a tremendous performance from each side to win, as neither side is at their best.
It’s Bayern Time.
