Bayern edge thrilling Klassiker to go 11 pts clear
A Joshua Kimmich volley late on complimented Harry Kane‘s brace in Der Klassiker on Saturday as Bayern Munich stretched their lead at the top of the Bundesliga further.
Kane’s two strikes looked to have put the game to bed for Bayern but a Daniel Svensson stunner late on got Borussia Dortmund level and heading for a point.
But it wasn’t to be for the home side with Kimmich hammering home in the 87th-minute to win another Klassiker for Bayern and stretch their lead over Dortmund in second to a whopping 11 points.
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Dortmund skipper Nico Schlotterbeck headed the hosts in front against the run of play in the 26th minute.
But it all changed after the break as Kane levelled in the 54th minute and then, after Schlotterbeck fouled Josip Stanisic in the box, dispatched the penalty for his 45th goal of the season for Bayern and 30th in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund hauled themselves level with seven minutes left when Svensson produced a lovely finish to turn in a deep ball from former Bayern man Marcel Sabitzer but Dortmund fans saw their celebrations cut short as Kimmich volleyed home in the 87th minute.
The result continues Bayern’s outstanding run at the Signal Iduna Park, where they have not lost in the league since November 2018.
That they even found themselves trailing was a surprise given they had been on top before Dortmund scored, although a curling left-footed strike from Michael Olise, held by Gregor Kobel, was as close as they came to scoring.
Schlotterbeck could well have seen red in the 18th minute when he caught Stanisic on the ankle as he stretched for the ball, but referee Sven Jablonski deemed yellow sufficient, so the Germany defender was still around to give the hosts the lead.
It came from their first effort at goal, with Svensson whipping in a free-kick from the left and Schlotterbeck rising to nod in, with the goal surviving an offside check as Kane had narrowly played him on.
They had a big chance to double their lead eight minutes later as they hit Bayern on the break, but when the ball came to Maximilian Beier in the box he had his back to goal and could not adjust in time.
Bayern were back on the front foot in the second half and got level in the 54th minute. Kimmich chipped the ball into the box, Gnabry headed it down and Kane made no mistake.
Beier sought an immediate response for Dortmund but drove his shot over before Yan Couto curled another effort wide.
Schlotterbeck, never far from the action, then conceded the penalty that allowed Bayern to take the lead, leaving a trailing leg when Stanisic cut inside. Kane stepped up and struck a powerful shot which Kobel got a hand to but could not keep out.
Dortmund fought on and thought they had a point when Svensson met Sabitzer’s dipping cross on the volley, but Bayern pushed forward again and the ball fell for Kimmich to pick out the top corner with a sweet strike.
Information from PA contributed to this report.