Robert Lewandowski’s hat-trick helps Bayern Munich secure a famous 4-2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.
Bayern Munich retain their place at the top of the Bundesliga table with a sensational 4-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.
The game lived up to its billing as Dortmund enjoyed a scintillating start, scoring two goals inside the first ten minutes thanks to Erling Haaland. The visitors were looking quite dangerous on the counter, with the Bayern defence often getting rattled.
It was, however, only a matter of time before Robert Lewandowski pulled one back for the Bavarians. It opened the floodgates, as Dortmund conceded a poor penalty just two minutes before half-time, allowing the Pole to double his tally and restore parity.
Bayern Munich were by far the better side in the second half, with five baffling substitutions from Edin Terzic further helping their cause. However, the Black and Yellows did well to contain the pressure, before Leon Goretzka finally found the winner, just two minutes before the ninety-minute mark.
It was a demoralising one to concede for the visitors, with Lewandowski taking full advantage to pile on further misery by completing his hat-trick a minute later. It sealed the victory for the Bavarians, and here, at The Hard Tackle, we will take a close look at how these two sides fared in this weekend’s Klassiker at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
Manuel Neuer had no answer to Borussia Dortmund’s two early goals but didn’t have much to do afterwards as the pressure from the opposition died down.
Niklas Sule: 6.5/10
Niklas Sule wasn’t particularly faultless in the Bayern Munich backline, but he did well to contain the pressure of the Borussia Dortmund attackers after an early flurry.
Jerome Boateng: 6.5/10
Jerome Boateng struggled to deal with Erling Haaland for the most part but made some crucial interceptions to stop Dortmund in their tracks. Injured late in the game, after injuring Haaland in the second half.
Hansi Flick on Boateng's injury: "He said that he twisted his knee. We cannot say more than that. He will undergo tests and then we'll get the exact diagnosis" pic.twitter.com/mNvbDwC6ez
— Sextuple winners ?????? (@iMiaSanMia) March 6, 2021
David Alaba: 6/10
David Alaba didn’t showcase much quality when Borussia Dortmund did show attacking intent. He had to scramble and looked vulnerable against Haaland. Had a better second half though.
Alphonso Davies: 6.5/10
Alphonso Davies almost had to play as a centre-back at times, due to the pressure from the opposition early on in the game. Had more freedom late on, with the Canadian international notably providing the assist for one of Lewandowski’s goals.
Leon Goretzka: 7.5/10
Leon Goretzka got completely rolled over by Emre Can during the early stage of the game. However, the German fought back well, becoming a real strong figure at the base of Bayern’s 4-2-3-1. Also scored the third goal with an excellent strike.
Joshua Kimmich: 7/10
Joshua Kimmich didn’t have the usual freedom he likes and had to fight hard for loose balls. It was an even contest between him and the Dortmund midfielders.
Leroy Sane: 8/10
Leroy Sané has now provided an assist in three of his last four Bundesliga appearances.
Putting it on a platter for Lewandowski. ? pic.twitter.com/j6FLmV6EkO
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 6, 2021
Leroy Sane was the most inventive attacker for Bayern in the first half. His ingenuity and trickery on the flanks helped his team break the deadlock. The former Man City winger went on to have a great ninety minutes.
Thomas Muller: 6.5/10
Thomas Muller wasn’t as influential as he was against Koln, but that is expected, as Dortmund defenders doubled down on him. Made good movements and applied pressure late on.
Kingsley Coman: 7/10
Kingsley Coman won the important penalty just before half-time to hand Bayern an opportunity to level the scoreline. Looked deadly with his box of trickery on the flanks.
Robert Lewandowski: 10/10
Robert Lewandowski continues his remorseless form against his former side – this time with a memorable hat-trick. A world-class display from the Pole, who was ruthless as ever with his scoring opportunities. 31 for the season now.
The most goals scored by a player in a Bundesliga season is 4️⃣0️⃣ by Gerd Muller in 1971-72 ?
Robert Lewandowski has 3️⃣1️⃣ with 10 games to go ?
And he's scoring at a rate of 1.35 goals per game this season ? pic.twitter.com/BzHHaFSNOn
— Goal (@goal) March 6, 2021
Substitutes
Serge Gnabry: 6.5/10
Serge Gnabry replaced Coman midway through the second half to offer more dynamism in the Bayern Munich attack. Had a few attempts on goal.
Javi Martinez: 6.5/10
Javi Martinez replaced the injured Boateng during the final phase of the game. Used his experience to see out the minimal threat Dortmund provided.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: N/A
A late replacement for Muller. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Lucas Hernandez: N/A
A late replacement for Sane. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Borussia Dortmund
Marwin Hitz: 4/10
Marwin Hitz had a nervy game in goal, looking very unconvincing in some of his claims and punches. He was also lucky to get away with a couple of mistakes and conceded four goals in the end.
Thomas Meunier: 4/10
Thomas Meunier looked impressive in the early parts of the game but lacked the quality to defend against the Bayern attack as the match progressed. Simply not good enough against a team of this calibre.
Mats Hummels: 6.5/10
Mats Hummels looked quite composed on and off the ball. He dealt with the threat well, marshalling his troops using his experience and leadership at the back.
Dan-Axel Zagadou: 7/10
Dan-Axel Zagadou produced quite an impressive display at the back. He was composed in possession and made a host of key tackles throughout the game.
Nico Schulz: 6.5/10
Nico Schulz had a rather decent game, in the absence of Raphael Guerreiro. He was very sloppy in possession and almost ineffective going forward, but his defensive work was impressive.
Emre Can: 7.5/10
Emre Can was one of the best performers in this entire game. Oscillating between a holding midfield and a central defensive role, the German motivated his troops brilliantly and minimised the influence of Kimmich and Goretzka. Perhaps unlucky not to be given a foul late in the game.
Marco Reus to Sky when asked about the foul on Emre Can:
"If that was a foul against a Bayern player then it would have been given. That's just the way it is."#FCBBVB pic.twitter.com/TnPIxbC2Vd
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) March 6, 2021
Thomas Delaney: 6.5/10
Thomas Delaney had a decent game as well, making a few key tackles in the middle of the park. Got taken off during the final phase of the game as he was on a yellow.
Mahmoud Dahoud: 7/10
Mahmoud Dahoud was excellent with his forward passing, notably producing a gorgeous ball to initiate the counterattack for the second goal. Unfortunately, the midfielder conceded an unnecessary penalty that sparked Bayern’s comeback.
Marco Reus: 6.5/10
Marco Reus was hard-working as ever, doing particularly well to rotate the ball even under pressure. He was taken off during the final phase of the game, as he looked tired.
Thorgan Hazard: 6.5/10
Thorgan Hazard delivered the assist for Haaland’s second goal and provided a threat on the counter in the opening 15 mins. However, the consistency in his game was lacking.
Erling Haaland: 8/10
Two goals from Haaland. Three goals from Lewandowski.
These two put on a show in Der Klassiker ? pic.twitter.com/Ea3nDK1wEy
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 6, 2021
Erling Haaland ripped the Bayern defence apart with his burst of pace, energy and strength. It was too much for Boateng and Alaba to handle, but unfortunately for Dortmund, he picked up an injury in the second half and had to be subbed off.
Substitutes
Steffen Tigges: 5/10
Stefan Tigges provided nothing to the table after coming on for Haaland. The energy, the pace and the mobility were missing in the first line of press.
Julian Brandt: 5/10
Julian Brandt continued his poor form, as the former Leverkusen man struggled to offer anything of note, after coming on for Hazard.
Mateu Morey: 6/10
Replaced Zagadou in what was a bizarre move from Edin Terzic. Should have started the game ahead of Meunier at right-back.
Jude Bellingham: 6/10
Made an eye-catching block to deny a goal late in the game, but Bayern were simply too dominant for him to make an impact on the ball.
Reinier: 5/10
A baffling move on Terzic’s part to bring Reinier on instead of Youssoufa Moukoko. The Brazilian couldn’t provide anything to the table.
