German Champions Bayern Munich stretched their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points after thrashing nearest rivals Borussia Dortmund 5-1 in the Der Klassiker.
The Bavarians took the lead in the 26th minute as Thomas Muller latched on to a Jerome Boateng long ball after an error in judgement by Dortmund keeper Burki. Muller doubled Bayern’s lead 10 minutes later after converting a penalty won by Thiago Alcantara after he was tripped inside the box by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
In form striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provided a glimmer of hope to the black and yellow side, as he pulled a goal back in the 37th minute after excellent work on the right by Gonzalo Castro.
However, all their hopes of a comeback were diminished 30 seconds into the second half as former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski struck his first goal of the night after latching on to a sweeping pass by Jerome Boateng. Lewandowski grabbed his second goal 12 minutes later as he stabbed home from 10 yards out.
Dortmund’s misery was compounded in the 66th minute when Mario Gotze, another former Dortmund star, bundled home Bayern’s fifth after a scramble in the box.
As a result of this victory over their arch rivals, Bayern Munich continued their perfect start to the 2015-16 Bundesliga season by recording their 8th consecutive win.
Here are the three talking points from the match.
Robert Lewandowski is the deadliest striker in Europe at the moment
Bayern Munich’s red hot striker Robert Lewandowski continued his astonishing goal scoring streak as he notched up his 14th and 15th goals of the season against former club Borussia Dortmund. The Polish International has now scored 12 goals in his last 4 matches in all competitions for the Bavarians.
After a slow start to the season, Lewandowski sent social media into meltdown two weeks ago when he smashed 5 goals in 9 minutes against a hapless Wolfsburg side in the Bundesliga. He followed it up by scoring a brace against Mainz at the weekend before notching up a hat-trick two days later against Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League.
Lewandowski is easily the most in-form striker in Europe at the moment. Bayern Munich fans will be hoping that their talismanic marksman is able to continue his breathtaking goal-scoring form for the club when the season enters its business end.
9 goals in the last 3 games for #Lewandowski, no player has ever achieved that streak in #Bundesliga . history! ?Y Y Y pic.twitter.com/xpUh4OrPzT
a FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) October 5, 2015
Rejuvenated Borussia Dortmund Are No Match For Bayern’s Ruthless Dominance
After a disappointing finish last season, Thomas Tuchel’s Borussia Dortmund made a spectacular start to the new campaign as they won their first 5 matches on the bounce. Their wheels came off a little bit in the past 2 weeks as they were held to frustrating draws by Hoffenheim and Darmstadt.
After garnering 17 points from their first 7 matches, Dortmund were expected to give a tough fight to the reigning German champions.
However, Dortmund were completely outclassed and outplayed by Pep Guardiola’s dominant Bayern Munich side on Sunday. Dortmund were no match for Bayern’s ruthlessness in front of goal which was adequately reflected in the 5-1 final scoreline. Bayern’s hunger and desire to close down spaces is reminiscent of Guardiola’s all conquering Barcelona side of 2009.
While Borussia Dortmund have most definitely made strides in the positive direction since the end of last season, they are still no match for the sheer might of the Bavarians.
J rA?me Boateng is more than just a hard tackling defender
Jerome Boateng’s virtuoso display at the back for Bayern Munich will be forgotten amidst a 5 goal blitz against arch rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Boateng produced a magical pin-point long ball from the back to assist Muller’s opener and an accurate low cross from the right to aid Lewandowski’s first goal.
Apart from being a no nonsense defender, Boateng has time and again displayed excellent vision and a keen eye for passes. His positioning as a libero or a sweeper behind defence is reminiscent of a certain Franz Beckenbauer.
Boateng’s unique ball playing ability has added further potency to the already flourishing Bayern Munich frontline.