Bundesliga: Bayern, poker at Borussia and overtaking at the top

Bayern Munich are not joking, not even on April 1st. The Bavarians, at the first with Tuchel on the bench, sweep away Borussia Dortmund, leaders at the kick-off, and take back the top of the standings. It ends 4-2, with a goal from Upamecano (13′, but the mistake by Kobel is sensational) and a brace from Müller (18′ and 23′), with the seal from Coman (53′). The penalty goals by Emre Can in the 72nd minute and by Malen in the 90th minute were useless. With eight matches remaining, Bayern, who will go to Freiburg in the next round, are in full swing not only to win the Bundesliga title, but also the German Cup and Champions League. Dortmund, which had started well, instead disunited at the first difficulty, proving to have the usual maturity problems that they have been carrying around for years. Never had a Bayern coach seen his team score 3 goals in the first 23 minutes on his debut on the bench. Not a small sign that Tuchel sends to his rivals in Germany and Europe.

THE RACE

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Although the result is clear and already matured in the first quarter of the game, Dortmund, at the beginning, seemed to be able to worry Bayern Munich. In the 7th minute De Ligt did well, slipping, to intervene on Reus. Bayern’s first goal by Tuchel was a gift from Borussia: in the 13th minute it was Upamecano, with a long ball, who triggered Sané, but Kobel came out, he seemed to anticipate it, butt the ball which slowly slipped into the unguarded goal. Dortmund fails to react, and, on the contrary, disappears from the field, allowing Bayern to spread: from a corner action it is De Ligt, in the 18th minute, who makes the tower for Müller who, from two steps away, pushes the ball in the net. Another mistake by Kobel gives the Bavarians the 3-0: the Dortmund goalkeeper is insecure on Sané’s shot and Müller is quick to arrive first on the rebound and score his personal brace.

THE RECOVERY

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The second half opens exactly as the first ended: with Bayern attacking. In the 45th minute, in fact, Coman had wasted a sensational opportunity, tripping into an empty net and thus failing to hit the ball. In the 51st minute, however, the Frenchman made amends: Sané, from the right, concentrated and found the pocket for Coman who, with his left foot, beats Kobel again. Bayern also made it 5-0 through Choupo-Moting, but the goal was disallowed for offside. The African striker came close to winning even in the 60th minute (he wasted by hitting the ball badly), and in the 63rd minute (well done Kobel), but it was Dortmund who scored: Gnabry fouled Bellingham in the area, the referee awarded the penalty which Emre Can transforms. Tuchel’s team responds by attacking again, but first Sané, then Musiala, waste two excellent opportunities. The goal actually comes, but it’s from Dortmund: it’s Malen who scores after a good exchange with Guerreiro. But it’s useless, because Bayern win. Which also takes the top of the standings. And he proves he’s not in the least bit joking when it comes to titles. Not even April 1st.

THE OTHERS

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Heavy victory for Union Berlin, who confirmed their third place in the standings by winning 3-0 against Stuttgart. Fool of Leipzig, beaten 3-0 at home by Mainz. Schalke also collapses (0-3 at home with Leverkusen), draws in Freiburg-Hertha (1-1) and Wolfsburg-Augsburg (2-2).