The reigning champions won the Bayern Munich vs Dortmund game 2-1 in Saturday’s Bundesliga Match of the Week. Here we will look at some of the key takeaways from der Klassiker.
Bayern Munich Continue Incredible Winning Streak in All Competitions
Even though Saturday’s Bayern Munich vs Dortmund match ended up being a close call at the end, the fact remains that the Bavarians have won all of their 11 competitive matches so far this season. By some accounts, that is the best ever beginning to a term of any side in the top five European leagues.
That isn’t by any means to say that everything so far this season has been perfect; however, it is still a remarkable achievement this early in the season. That is why this deserves to be the first of our key takeaways from der Klassiker.
The question remains, how will the inevitable end of this winning streak, whenever it happens, affect the team psychologically?
Harry Kane Is Still in Top Form, Regardless of Position
England captain Harry Kane has begun this season in unbelievable form, with 19 goals and three assists from the 11 matches for his club. On Saturday, he helped his side in practically all areas of the pitch.
He nominally started the game in the playmaker’s position, though Kane often dropped even deeper back, making long passes from midfield with pinpoint accuracy, and unbelievably, making defensive tackles from time to time. All this, without ever losing his scoring touch!
Nicolas Jackson Still Needs Time to Adjust to His New Team
Because Serge Gnabry missed the Bayern Munich vs Dortmund match as a precaution with an adductor problem, Kane had to replace the German international in that playmaker role, meaning that Nicolas Jackson needed to start up front.
But the Senegalese striker, currently on loan from Chelsea, was not involved in the Bayern attack, which was generally led by Luis Diaz, Michael Olise, and Kane. Jackson made plenty of runs and tried to make an impact, but his teammates simply did not find him.
To be fair, it is, of course, a thankless task to go to a new club, in a new country, on Transfer Deadline Day no less, and immediately perform in the few instances one is called upon.
At the same time, that is precisely the role of a striker, who is the backup to someone like Kane. It will certainly have to improve in the weeks and months ahead.
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Dortmund Coach Niko Kovač Once Again Approached a Big Game With Very Negative Tactics
This is an issue that has haunted Niko Kovač throughout his coaching career, at various clubs, as well as during his time with the Croatian national team.
In fact, when he was at Bayern during the 2018/19 season, they played Liverpool in the Round of 16 of the Champions League. Kovač successfully parked the bus at Anfield and was able to get a scoreless draw. In the second leg, he tried the same again, but Jürgen Klopp’s men destroyed them in Munich.
Kovač never regained the trust of most at the club after that, even though he wasn’t sacked until the autumn of 2019.
Dortmund feel that he has done well for them so far, by taking them from a midtable team last season, and securing a top-four finish. That is true, but the negative tactics to start the match on Saturday caused BVB not to have a single shot on target in the first half.
That’s why it is worthy of being one of our takeaways from der Klassiker.
Visitors Showed Morale at End of Bayern Munich vs Dortmund Game
The Black-and-Yellows are often criticised that they lack morale and a winning mentality. Despite the awful first half and the loss, they have shown that they dust themselves off and keep going.
That is what they must take from this game.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Ulmer/Teamfoto
Recording Date: 18.10.2025