The international break is over and German fans breathed a sigh of relief as they no longer had to watch the likes of Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade ruin their evenings. The break was followed up by Germany\u2019s biggest fixture, Der Klassiker, starring the table\u2019s first and second placed eternal rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Niko Kovac\u2019s Dortmund were in decent form, last having drawn 1-1 to third-placed RB Leipzig. Bayern, on the other hand were having the time of their lives with Harry Kane playing at the highest level. It was surely going to be a massive game for both teams.<\/p>\n
What ensued was a tale of two halves \u2014 a clear dominant Bayern setting up an early first half lead via corner kicks. However, Dortmund decided to get dirty and defensive, preventing any form of Bayern movement in the second half. Bayern bagged one more goal in the second half, but faltered owing to defensive lapses and conceded late in the game. This goal did not change much, as Bayern still walked away with three points and a home win. Here are the awards from a rather lukewarm Bayern performance.<\/p>\n
Jersey Swap \u2014 Julian Brandt<\/p>\n
One may have thought Dortmund was nowhere near the team who could make a last-minute effort to win the game, but the team had the quality to surprise anyone. That is precisely what they set themselves up to do from the start of the second half. Though they made barely any attempts at target and were quickly denied by the Bavarian defense, all that would change following a bit of Bayern oversight towards the end of the game.<\/p>\n
Julian Brandt embodied the concept of a super-sub, as he came on and scored in seconds. Dayot Upamecano, who was caught loitering, left a massive space that was easily exploited by Julian Ryerson, who made a clean pass. Additionally, Brandt was free enough to make the run into the half-space left and receive the ball. He made use of it and scored instantly. This was a textbook Dortmund counter and goal \u2014 using an unguarded half-space and acting quickly to score. While it was not enough to win, it softened the blow Dortmund had taken from their otherwise appalling performance.<\/p>\n
Der Kaiser \u2014 Konrad Laimer<\/p>\n
This was a rather atypical game from Laimer. The Austrian, who is constantly overlapping with attackers in other games, hardly ventured forward, playing a more defensive role than usual. He made a few key tackles and regained possession.<\/p>\n
But the question of the day \u2014 \u201cif he was on the left back, how did he do against Serhou Guirassy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, not bad at all. Containing Guirassy was a team effort, with Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovi\u0107 taking turns with Upamecano. Laimer was primarily in picture every time the Guinean attempted to venture into wider spaces. All of Laimer\u2019s tackles and interceptions were against key movements in the Dortmund attack and he managed to almost entirely neutralize Guirassy. While this was not an attack-heavy performance like Laimer normally puts up, he still played well enough. Where he could have improved was in his recovery runs \u2014 a bit more pace could have prevented momentary lapses. Additionally, Laimer genuinely needed to be a tad quicker in acting against players like Brandt. It was an otherwise solid effort from the Austrian.<\/p>\n
Der Fu\u00dfballgott \u2014 Aleksandar Pavlovi\u0107 <\/p>\n
Dortmund rarely went into transition as they were mostly busy playing as defensively as possible. However, when they did attempt to make something of the ball, they were in for a rude shock \u2014 a certain Aleksandar Pavlovi\u0107 who had made it his mission to ruin their day. He slid in and recovered the ball from the men in yellow several times. Notably, he committed a crucial foul against Julian Brandt late in the game.<\/p>\n
Though he played a lot less intensely than usual, his conservative passing still remained accurate while breaking lines and pushing for counters. It was his steady presence that allowed Kimmich to meander and settle into a more defensive role with the backline. It would not be surprising if he takes over the starting spot from Leon Goretzka, for he truly deserves it.<\/p>\n
Der Bomber \u2014 Michael Olise<\/p>\n
Michael Olise may have had one of his worse games off late \u2014 wildly indecisive in the final third, missing shots he is otherwise known to be capable of taking. Perhaps, the exhaustion of international break caught up to the wingers, as both suffered from the same problems and performed rather similarly. However, where Olise placed higher than Luis D\u00edaz was in output.<\/p>\n
The goal that Olise scored was extremely crucial \u2014 it came in late in the second half wherein Bayern badly needed a second goal to cement their win. Kane won the ball from deep in the pitch, and played it long to D\u00edaz, who then assisted Olise in making the goal.<\/p>\n
A world where Olise is better on his weak foot would be ideal, but for now, we might just have to enjoy his otherwise excellent performances.<\/p>\n
Meister of the Match \u2014 Harry Kane<\/p>\n
Harry Kane has, at this point, done everything for Bayern but don the gloves and steal Manuel Neuer\u2019s job.<\/p>\n
It is impossible for a man to be everywhere on the pitch, but Kane has time and again, made impossible look like child\u2019s play, breaking records and changing from attacker to box-to-box-midfielder to defender.<\/p>\n
In an otherwise underwhelming game from Bayern, Kane shone. He looked hardly strained despite being right out of the international break and put up more work than ever asked of an attacker, especially a striker of his caliber.<\/p>\n
A dominant first half from Bayern featured the first goal, scored by Kane from a Joshua Kimmich corner. Kane somehow managed to get to the ball despite Serhou Guirassy being right in front of him and headed into the net. The second half, where Bayern looked hapless, it was still the likes of Kane and Pavlovic fighting for the ball back and making it count.<\/p>\n
Bayern Munich got off to a rousing start during its 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the latest edition of Der Klassiker, but it was a nervy ending for the Bavarians.<\/p>\n
The home side appeared to wear down and wilt under pressure from Borussia Dortmund as the game went on, but it was a gutty effort to even preserve the win under what many would consider to be a shaky second half. Head coach Vincent Kompany will have to find a way to deal with the weariness of his boys, but for now, let\u2019s talk about how it all played out.<\/p>\n
This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works \u2014 Postgame Show:<\/p>\n
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