MOTM Poll: Haaland and Brandt Score, but Dortmund Fall to Bayern 3-2

Well, it’s full time, and Borussia Dortmund have just lost what feels like their 10,000th 3-2 defeat to Bayern in a row. BVB started on the front foot with an early goal and dominated long periods of the game, but a trio of horrible mistakes/questionable calls gifted Bayern Munich three goals and allowed them to stretch their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Don’t worry, we will pan Hummels and Guerreiro for their mistakes plenty in the near future, but this article is about the positives. There were a few strong individual performances from BVB, despite the final result. Here are my candidates for man of the match:

Julian Brandt

It’s very unfortunate, but fitting, that in what was probably Brandt’s strongest game of the season, he also suffered a serious head injury in a collision with Dayot Upamecano and needed to be substituted off. His goal to open the game was brilliant as he effortlessly juked Alphonso Davies and slotted a perfect shot past Manuel Neuer. In the rest of the match his pressing was solid and he was intimately involved in several other big chances for BVB. Hopefully his injury isn’t serious, and he can return to the pitch soon.

Erling Haaland

With how he was playing, you get the feeling that if he had been able to play the full 90 minutes, he just might have managed to find an equalizer. His goal was beautiful and he also beat Bayern’s back line on a few different runs. Unfortunately, when he was brought off for Steffen Tigges, the game’s result became a formality.

Jude Bellingham

BVB’s midfield deserves a lot of credit today, and Jude Bellingham was probably the best of the bunch. He provided the assists on both Dortmund goals and was every bit the chippy and annoying c-word that you want your central midfielders to be in a rivalry game.

Thomas Meunier

It’s pretty remarkable that Thomas Meunier, who was so maligned last season for his poor play, was the only defender who wasn’t a total trainwreck today. He actually managed to keep Alphonso Davies and Leroy Sané quiet, and even provided the cross that led to Haaland’s equalizer. If only the rest of the back line could play at his level...