Musiala rescues point for Bayern at Borussia Dortmund / Photo: INA FASSBENDER - AFP
Musiala rescues point for Bayern at Borussia Dortmund
Jamal Musiala's 85th-minute header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at the home of Der Klassiker rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Jamie Gittens opened the scoring in the first half, but Musiala's leveller maintained Bayern's record of zero losses in the league this term and moved them seven points clear at the top of the table.
With Bayer Leverkusen winning at Union Berlin earlier on Saturday, Bayern's lead at the top of the Bundesliga has been reduced following the draw -– and Eintracht Frankfurt have the chance to cut it down to four when they face Heidenheim on Sunday.
Dortmund went back above Freiburg, who won earlier on Saturday, into fifth place but still remain 10 points behind the leaders.
This Klassiker was a meeting between the teams with the best home and away records in the Bundesliga, and always promised to be an entertaining contest.
The latest edition didn't disappoint, with Bayern starting the game on top.
But Dortmund steadied the ship and took the lead in the 27th minute through a superb individual goal by Gittens.
With Bayern's defence caught high up the field, Dortmund captain Nico Schlotterbeck spotted the run of Gittens, whose stepover left Konrad Laimer in his wake. His searing pace kept him clear of Laimer down the left flank and he finished expertly past Manuel Neuer.
It was a moment of brilliance from the Englishman and a repayment to coach Nuri Sahin for the faith he has shown in the 20-year-old.
It was also the first goal Bayern had conceded since October 23, breaking a run of clean sheets that had stretched back eight games in all competitions.
Bayern's problems were compounded five minutes later with the loss of Gittens' compatriot Harry Kane, with the England captain forced off early with an apparent hamstring issue.
Neuer kept Bayern in the game with a crucial save just after the hour mark, when Max Beier crafted a golden opportunity for Marcel Sabitzer, but the goalkeeper made an expert save with his right leg.
Bayern controlled much of the second half but couldn't convert their ball superiority into goals, until Bayern's best player on the night secured a point.
Leroy Sane's free-kick struck the Dortmund wall, Sane found Michael Olise, whose pinpoint cross was nodded in by Musiala.
F.Green--MC-UK
