Match Report: Borussia Dortmund 0 - 3 Bayern Munich - Gotze scores as Bayern embarrass Dortmund

Westfalenstadion - Borussia Dortmund 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Gotze 66' Robben 85' Muller 87')

Mario Goetze returned to haunt his former club Borussia Dortmund as Bayern Munich won 3-0 at the Westfalenstadion.

Goetze broke the deadlock in a tense game with 24 minutes left to go, while Arjen Robern and Thomas Mueller found the net late on with two to turn a victory into a drubbing.
Dortmund had the best chances in the first half. Robert Lewandowski wastefully fired over a volley, unmarked in the penalty area, on the 4th minute. On the half hour, Marco Reus took advantage of a slip in the Bayern defence, but could only smash the ball straight at Manuel Neuer.
Bayern dominated possession in the early stages, but faded as the half progressed, and Mario Mandzukic’s weak overhead kick was easily saved by Roman Weidenfeller.

On 66 minutes, Goetze opened the scoring as Philipp Lahm spread the ball to Muller on the right, who fired the ball into the ex-Dortmund man, who took one touch and used the outside of his right boot to fire into the far corner.
As the game became more open, Dortmund had chances to equalise. Henrikh Mkhitaryan failed to bring down a Grosskreutz cross quickly and fired over, while moments later Reus’ shot from just outside the area was saved brilliantly by Neuer.
On the 85th minute, Robben burst through the centre, and sealed the win with a wonderful chip over the keeper. Two minutes later, Muller slotted home Lahm’s pullback to make victory complete.
KEY MOMENTS
Pre-match: Manuel Friedrich, signed on a free transfer, has not played since last season for Bayer Leverkusen, starts the match. Mario Goetze is dropped to the bench.
4’ - LEWANDOWSKI MISS - The Polish striker volleys wide when unmarked in the penalty area.
29’ - NEUER SAVE - Reus takes advantage of a Dante slip in defence to burst towards goal, but his shot is punched away by the Bayern ‘keeper.
35’ - MANDZUKIC CHANCE - Muller is space on the right, and his cross is volleyed acrobatically towards goal with an overhead kick from Mandzukic. It’s not hit sweetly, and Weidenfeller is across to scoop it away.
66’ - GOETZE SCORES - Goetze receives a pass from Muller, and takes one touch in the centre of the box before using the outside of his boot to find the far corner. And indulges in a muted celebration.
71’ - MKHITARYAN SHOT SAVED - Taking an age to bring the ball down, the forward can only fire his shot into Neuer’s legs.
73’ - NEUER SAVE - Reus gets onto Lewandowski’s backheel but his shot from outside the box is palmed away by a great save.
85 - ROBBEN’S CHIP - After breaking through the centre of the pitch, and dinks the ball over the oncoming ‘keeper.
87’ - MULLER MAKES IT THREE - Robben finds Lahm with a reverse pass on the right, and his pullback is slotted into the goal.
KEY STATS
Bayern are undefeated in 38 league games.
Mario Goetze’s goal for Bayern Munich was his first involvement in a Bayern goal for 4 league matches.
Dortmund have the Bundesliga’s best goal tally (32) but failed to score in the match.
TALKING POINT
Can Dortmund catch Bayern? Dortmund are now seven points behind their rivals and are in the middle of an injury crisis. As Lewandowski is plotting his exit already, apparently, it might be hard for them to keep the team together for the rest of the season.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich): Bayern failed to find rhythm for much of the match, and the scoreline flattered the forwards. If it wasn’t for the goalkeeper they might not have had chance to add to the score, as his saves kept his side in contention in the first half, and in control in the second.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Dortmund: Weidenfeller 6, Grosskreutz 7, Sokratis 6, M. Friedrich 6, Durm 6, S. Bender 6, Sahin 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Blaszczykowski 6, Reus 6, Lewandowski 6. Subs: Hofmann 6, Aubameyang 6, Piszczek 6.
Bayern: Neuer 7, Dante 6, Martínez 6, Mandzukic 6, Robben 6, Rafinha 6, Boateng 6, Lahm 6, Müller 6, Alaba 6, Kroos 6. Subs: Van Buyten 6, Thiago 6, Götze 7.