Der Klassiker: 3 takeaways from Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich
Der Klassiker never disappoints. It is one of the most widely acclaimed and important games in Bundesliga, and tonight's match just proved that yet again. Both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich took the fight to each other's doorstep, and gifted the audience yet another tale to remember.
Robert Lewandowski helped Bayern Munich take the lead not once, but twice with his brace. But both times Marco Reus equalised, and ultimately it was Borussia Dortmund's loanee Paco Alcacer who came on as a substitute to score the winner.
It was an epic encounter as Bayern Munich tried to dominate proceedings early on, but a resurgent Dortmund side knows how to fight back and kept on pushing Bayern Munich throughout the match. Ultimately, the home team's good performance was rewarded in the second half via a winner by their striker, Paco Alcacer.
Lets quickly evaluate three major takeaways from this tie.
#1 Borussia Dortmund, not Bayern Munich, are the favourites
This will come as a shock for football fans around the globe, but Borussia Dortmund looks like a major favourite to win the Bundesliga title after a long time. They are 4 points clear on top, with this defeat putting Bayern 3rd on the table, 7 points adrift of the league leaders.
Dortmund's goal difference is staggering, and they are on a league of their own this season. They have scored 33 goals already this season while conceding only 12, which leaves no doubt that they are the team to beat this time around.
Although Borussia Dortmund have been known to falter after promising starts in the past seasons, they have surpassed the challenge from the mighty Bayern, which makes it a different scenario this year. They have won 8, drawn 3, and are undefeated in the Bundesliga at the moment.
Uli Hoeness, the Bayern Munich president, recently suggested that they.are the underdogs for the first time in a long time. And it looks like he was true. Dortmund was beaten 5-0 by Bayern in March this year, but they are a different team now. If there was any doubt regarding that, their recent victory over Bayern Munich cleared all of it.