- BERLIN (GERMANY) — Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund played out a dramatic
2-2 draw in a crucial match in the Bundesliga klassiker (derby), with the
Bavarians unable to capitalise on Leverkusen's earlier draw but keeping their
lead at six points with five games to go.
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- The host controlled much of the opening exchanges on
Saturday night, dominating possession and creating several chances. Michael
Olise and Harry Kane were both denied by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who
produced a series of fine saves to keep the score level at the break.
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- The momentum shifted just three minutes after the restart.
Dortmund striker Maximilian Beier rose highest to meet Julian Ryerson's cross
and head past Bayern goalkeeper Noah Urbig to give the visitors a surprise 1-0
lead with their first shot on target, reports Xinhua.
Also read: La Liga: FC Barcelona scrape home in Leganes to move seven points clear in La Liga
- Bayern responded with plenty of vigour, but Kane and
Stanisic both missed chances to level the score. Coach Vincent Kompany made a
double substitution just after the hour mark, bringing on Serge Gnabry and
Aleksandar Pavlovic in a bid to breathe new life into his side.
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- The impact was instant. Gnabry set up Raphael Guerreiro in
the 65th minute to level the score against his former club, before the Germany
international scored himself just four minutes later, cutting through the
Dortmund defense and finishing clinically to give Bayern a 2-1 lead.
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- But Dortmund wasn't done yet. In the 75th minute, Serhou
Guirassy's shot was saved by Urbig, but Waldemar Anton was the quickest to
react and pounced on the rebound to level the score at 2-2. Both sides had late
chances to win the game, with Kane firing wide and Dortmund substitute Gross
hitting the roof of the net.
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- With Leverkusen held to a goalless draw by Union Berlin
earlier in the day, leaders Bayern missed out on a chance to extend their lead
at the top but maintained the six-point advantage.
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- "It was probably a great game for the fans to watch. We
were determined to win and brought a lot of energy, but in the end, it was a
game of missed chances. Serge did well off the bench, but our efficiency just
wasn't there today," said Bayern veteran Thomas Muller.
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- Elsewhere on Saturday, Hoffenheim beat Mainz 2-0 to pick up
vital points in their relegation battle. Freiburg ended its losing streak with
a 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach. Ten-man Augsburg secured a 2-1 win at
relegation-threatened Bochum, while St. Pauli beat Holstein Kiel 2-1 at the
bottom of the table.
