Bayern beats Dortmund in ‘der Klassiker’ to retake top spot; Union wins again
BERLIN (AP) — Thomas Müller scored twice and Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 4-2 in “der Klassiker” on Saturday to overhaul the guests on the prime of the Bundesliga and provides Thomas Tuchel a profitable begin as coach.
Bayern capitalized on a poor efficiency from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel on his return from harm to maneuver two factors above Dortmund with eight rounds of the league remaining.
It was Tuchel’s first recreation answerable for the Bavarian powerhouse — and in opposition to his former membership.
“It was a good first step,” Tuchel mentioned.
Bayern fired his predecessor Julian Nagelsmann final week after the staff’s 2-1 loss at Bayer Leverkusen.
Kobel was adjudged to have scored an own-goal after letting by way of Dayot Upamecano’s hopeful ahead ball, Müller added two extra by the twenty third minute, and Kingsley Coman received the fourth within the fiftieth as Bayern overran the guests.
Emre Can scored a penalty within the 72nd, and Donyell Malen added one other purpose within the ultimate minute for Dortmund’s comfort.
It was Dortmund’s first defeat within the Bundesliga in 2023, and it continued an extended line of losses for the “black and yellows” in Munich.
Tuchel opted for a again 4, however there was little instant signal of the previous Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach’s enter after such a short while in Munich.
Bayern grew in confidence as Dortmund struggled to recuperate from the shock of the opening purpose.
The guests had made the higher begin however Kobel gifted Bayern the lead within the thirteenth minute. Upamecano despatched an extended hopeful punt ahead and the unpressured Kobel mistimed his clearance and missed the ball, permitting it go into the purpose behind him.
Kobel, simply again after lacking 4 video games with a thigh downside, once more appeared unhealthy when Müller beat him from shut vary at his close to publish within the 18th, and as soon as once more when he allowed the rebound from Leroy Sané’s shot land at Müller’s ft for the Bayern veteran’s second purpose 5 minutes later.
Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who returned from Germany responsibility with a thigh downside, needed to go off injured earlier than the break. Mats Hummels got here on in opposition to his former facet in his place.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzić reacted at halftime with two adjustments, however Leroy Sané arrange Coman for 4-0 within the fiftieth. Kobel received his hand to the ball however couldn’t hold it out. Coman had already missed two good probabilities earlier than the break.
It may have been worse for Dortmund – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had a spectacular overhead purpose dominated out for offside, Serge Gnabry additionally had a purpose disallowed, and Bayern went on to overlook additional alternatives earlier than Dortmund’s late response.
UNION STILL FLYING HIGH
Stuttgart midfielder Genki Haraguchi scored an own-goal in his first return to Union Berlin as his former staff gained 3-0 and consolidated third place.
Sheraldo Becker scored within the 51st minute to get Union off the mark, then Kevin Behrens struck from shut vary within the 67th, a minute earlier than Haraguchi deflected Behrens’ cross into his personal internet.
It lifted Union 4 factors away from fourth-place Freiburg, which nonetheless holds the final place for Champions League qualification regardless of a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin.
Jessic Ngankam scored within the 77th for Hertha to salvage the draw for a morale-boosting level in its battle in opposition to relegation. Hertha moved a degree above Schalke.
Also, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Sardar Azmoun scored for Bayer Leverkusen to ease to a 3-0 win at Schalke. Schalke stayed a degree above last-place Stuttgart.
Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold scored an own-goal and missed a penalty however his staff fought from two objectives down to attract 2-2 at dwelling with Augsburg. Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha scored the equalizer in harm time.
On Rouven Schröder’s first day as Leipzig sporting director, the staff slumped to a 3-0 loss at dwelling to Mainz to proceed its downward flip. Leipzig has now misplaced each video games since its 7-0 defeat at Manchester City within the Champions League.
