Bayern and Borussia Dortmund share the spoils

FC Bayern were held to a 2-2 draw by Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Saturday. Konrad Laimer put Bayern in front before half-time. Serhou Guirassy then levelled the scores on the hour, but Dayot Upamecano restored Munich’s lead minutes later. Bayern had the better chances and hit the woodwork three times, but Fábio Silva’s late goal meant the clash ended in a draw.

Munich started with Jonas Urbig in goal and Laimer, Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry, with Harry Kane up front. Saibari and Gnabry had to be subbed off in the first half, replaced by Nathaniel Brown and Josip Stanišić. Lennart Karl came on for Michael Olise in the closing stages.

Ahead at half-time

It was an up-tempo contest with chances at both ends. Bayern got off to the better start and struck the post through Olise. Urbig denied Jobe Bellingham before Saibari was through on goal but saw his effort saved and was then injured in the follow-up. Gnabry was then also forced off minutes later.

Dortmund had the ball in the net, but Bellingham’s goal was ruled out off for offside on review. Bayern responded immediately to take the lead when Laimer intercepted a pass and was through on goal after a one-two with Olise. BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel parried his shot, but the Austrian mopped up the rebound. Kane saw a shot deflected behind and Bellingham fired over before Urbig beat Guirassy to a cross, with Maximilian Beier seeing his shot blocked.

Penalty, post and late drama

Munich almost made it two after the restart, but Kobel made a strong save against Laimer. Olise fired wide and a Laimer square was blocked before Bayern were awarded a penalty for handball, but Kane hit the crossbar from the spot. Dortmund levelled the scores when they won the ball and Carney Chukwuemeka set up Guirassy, who beat Urbig at his near post.

Bayern went looking for a reply and Kimmich saw two efforts blocked. Laimer hit the side-netting, but the champions soon restored their lead at a short corner when Kimmich found Kane at the far post, who nodded the ball back across for Upamecano to turn home. Kane hit the post and saw another effort go inches wide. Dortmund equalised again in the 90th minute when Pavlović’s clearance was blocked and Silva beat Urbig with a low finish across goal. Bayern pushed for a winner and Laimer saw a shot blocked before Karl hit the bar, but it was not to be for Bayern.

The result means Bayern remain top the table on 18 points, ahead of Dortmund on goal difference. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday when they travel to face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen