Thomas Mueller (R) and Robert Lewandowski (C) of Bayern Munich vies with Mats Hummels of Dortmund during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich defended the top spot in the standings after overpowering runner-up Borussia Dortmund 3-2 by courtesy on Robert Lewandowski's brace following a fast-paced encounter at the 14th round in Bundesliga on Saturday.
The "BVB" took the reins from the kick off and caught a perfect start in front of home crowd as Jude Bellingham's pass into path allowed Julian Brandt to beat Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a well-placed shot into the top right corner with five minutes played.
Bayern remained unimpressed and found an answer four minutes later when Robert Lewandowski capitalized on Thomas Muller's header to slot home the 1-1 equalizer into the bottom right.
Both sides exchanged attacks, but Bayern took the upper hand and controlled possession as Kingsley Coman pulled wide from promising position in the 23rd minute before his dangerous shot on target got refused by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel three minutes later.
Bayern gained momentum and got rewarded for in the closing stages of the first half as Lewandowski benefitted on a blocked clearance attempt and drilled the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 with one minute remaining.
Dortmund immediately turned up after the restart and restored parity with two minutes into the second half after Dayot Upamecano couldn't clear the ball from the area, allowing Erling Haaland to beat Neuer into the far post corner.
Both teams pressed forward but Kobel refused Coman's shot in the 57th minute while Benjamin Pavard blocked Haaland's attempt moments later.
Bayern as well as Dortmund couldn't hold the pace until the final whistle though and focussed on counterattacks.
With 74 minutes into the game, the referee awarded Bayern a penalty after reviewing Mats Hummels' handball inside the box. Lewandowski stepped up and converted the penalty into the bottom right corner although Kobel anticipated the corner.
Dortmund threw every man up front, but the hosts had to pay the price for the fast pace and couldn't overcome Bayern's bulwark in the closing stages.
With the win, front-runners Bayern Munich work out a four-point advantage atop the standings whereas Borussia Dortmund stay on the 2nd place.
"I think we saw an entertaining game with many chances at both ends of the pitch. However, it is sad that a controversial penalty decides this game," Dortmund head coach Marco Rose said.
"We caught a subpar start into the game, but we reacted well to the early setback. We had several chances in the first have and should have established a higher advantage. Our start into the second half was equal to the first half, but we decided the game in the closing stages and secured a deserved win," Bayer head coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
On Sunday, Stuttgart host Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach face Freiburg to conclude the 14th round in Bundesliga. Enditem
Thomas Mueller (R) of Bayern Munich vies with Mats Hummels of Dortmund during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich competes during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Donyell Malen (1st R) of Dortmund shoots during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Marco Reus (L) of Dortmund vies with Lucas Hernandez of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Players of Bayern Munich celebrate after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
Erling Haaland (R) of Dortmund vies with Lucas Hernandez of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, Germany, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
