Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich shared the spoils at the Signal Iduna Park in a thrilling Der Klassiker on Saturday.
It was the first time in a long time Der Klassiker was played without either club occupying top spot, with Union Berlin and Freiburg in the coveted position.
The home side started brightly and forced Manuel Neuer into a brilliant save. Dortmund lacked the clinical edge despite dominating the game and controlling the midfield.
Bayern made them pay after 37 minutes. Jamal Musiala slid the ball to Leon Goretzka, who fired home from outside the box. Goretzka has come under criticism for his inability to control games from midfield, but he has responded with a superb strike.
Dortmund sought an immediate response, with Donyell Malen forcing another save from Neuer after Jude Bellingham helped win the ball. In making the challenge, Bellingham’s boot hit Alphonso Davies in the head, causing the Canadian left-back to come off.
Following the half-time break, Bayern came out with more intention but substitute Marius Wolf was the one testing Neuer. Bayern should have scored through Sadio Mane, but he somehow headed wide with the goal gaping. Goretzka did brilliantly to create the chance.
Bayern bagged their second through Leroy Sane. Musiala received the ball in the right half-space and did well to hold on to it amid pressure. The youngster shifted the ball to Sane, who fired past Alexander Meyer. The goalkeeper should have done better.
Meyer then denied Musiala after 64 minutes to keep the scoreline respectable. Ten minutes later, Dortmund pulled one back. Youssoufa Moukoko slid in Anthony Modeste, who gave it back to the 17-year-old to score.
Goretzka had a chance to restore the two-goal lead minutes later, but his shot inched away from the post.
Anthony Modeste should have scored the equaliser after an incredible burst from Karim Adeyemi to set him up. He skewed his shot from point-blank range, allowing Neuer to save.
The game saved the best for last. Kingsley Coman received his second marching order for two pull-backs on Adeyemi. Then Modeste went from zero to hero.
In the dying moments, Adeyemi floated a hopeful ball into the Bayern box, and Nico Schlotterbeck did incredibly well to keep it alive. He sent a cross to the back post, and Modeste squeezed it home.
Match Ratings
Borussia Dortmund
Alexander Meyer 6.5: Meyer should have done better for the second goal but made some good saves for his side. His kicking was good too.
Raphael Guerreiro 6.5: The Portuguese left-back was a good outlet down the left but failed to offer more.
Mats Hummels 6.0: Hummels returned from injury, and there was not much he could do about the result. Wolf replaced him at halftime.
Nico Schlotterbeck 7.0: Nothing he could do about the goals but showed determination to win the ball and technique to deliver the cross for the equaliser.
Niklas Sule 6.5: Kept the Bayern attackers at bay, and even though he did not get forward much, he was solid.
Salih Ozcan 5.5: Poor in midfield and failed to impose himself on the game.
Jude Bellingham 7.0: Bellingham was progressive, combative, and determined. The Englishman was impressive once again.
Emre Can 6.5: A solid but unspectacular performance in midfield.
Julian Brandt 7.0: Brandt created some danger from the right side but nothing too worrying for Bayern.
Donyell Malen 6.0: Failed to make a mark in the game and missed a good chance to do so. Quite unremarkable.
Youssoufa Moukoko 8.0: Worked hard, scored a great goal and put in a shift for his side.
Subs
Karim Adeyemi 7.5: Showed more willingness than Brandt and dragged Bayern defenders while eating space. A good showing.
Marius Wolf 7.0: Wolf only returned from injury and looked dangerous. He was very positive with the ball.
Thorgan Hazard 6.0: Another positive person after coming on but couldn’t affect the game.
Anthony Modeste 7.5: The former Koln man atoned for an atrocious miss with a glorious equaliser. Hopefully, this goal opens the floodgates for him.
Bayern Munich
Neuer 7.5: Two good saves to keep Bayern strong, but he could do nothing about the goals. Great in the build-up phase as usual.
Alphonso Davies 6.5: The Canadian was lively but did not have enough time to show his full capabilities after the early substitution.
Dayot Upamecano 7.5: Another solid outing from the Frenchman. He was strong aerially and on the ground.
Matthijs De Ligt 6.5: He has not been as imposing as his price tag, but he was okay for the most part.
Benjamin Pavard 6.5: The Frenchman covered at right back and centre-back today. He was okay in both positions.
Marcel Sabitzer 5.5: Sabitzer struggled to take control of proceedings and was anonymous as the game passed him.
Leon Goretzka 8.0: The German international scored a goal and could have added another. Goretzka was also combative in midfield.
Jamal Musiala 8.0: Two assists in Der Klassiker and was involved in most of the positive things Bayern did today. He continues to perform well this season.
Serge Gnabry 6.0: His poor form continues, but somehow he keeps finding his way into the team. He was anonymous for most of the game.
Kingsley Coman 5.0: Surprisingly quiet after coming on, and for that, he could be spared. However, the red card, in the end, should have been avoided.
Leroy Sane 8.0: Nine goals and two assists this season. He is finding his best form again. Sane scored a well-taken goal and was dangerous.
Sadio Mane 6.0: After scoring in successive games, the Senegalese attacker was quiet and missed a big chance for his side. Let the debates about his best position continue.
Subs
Josip Stanicic 6.0: He could not replicate Davies’ attacking prowess, and Adeyemi burnt him many times.
Noussair Mazraoui 6.5: He was bright when he came on, but it was not enough.
Joshua Kimmich 7.0: The former Stuttgart youngster struggled to take control of the game but disrupted things for Dortmund and spread the ball well.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 6.0: Not much to work with but pressed well.
