Berlin, Oct 19: Harry Kane scored again as Bayern Munich dealt Borussia Dortmund its first Bundesliga loss of the season by winning der Klassiker 2-1.
Bayern, the defending champion, dominated and delivered a statement to its closest rival after six rounds.
“It was first versus second. So yeah, there’s a lot on this game, especially for momentum,” Kane said. “We talk a lot about trying to keep our momentum and keep pushing and keep trying to win every game that’s possible, and we’re doing that so far.” The England forward launched the first good chance, while defending. He eluded two Dortmund forwards, and sent the ball forward. Michael Olise drew a save from Gregor Kobel, who then secured Luis Díaz’s effort from the rebound.
Kane scored in the 22nd minute with a header to Joshua Kimmich’s corner. It was his 22nd goal for club and country this season and stretched his scoring streak in the Bundesliga to five games that have yielded nine goals.
Olise grazed the left post with another shot. The only complaint Bayern could have at the break was that it was leading only 1-0.
“Probably just weren’t clinical enough in the final third,” Kane said.
Dortmund improved significantly after the interval when Felix Nmecha went close, Serhou Guirassy fired over, and Karim Adeyemi failed to capitalize on a rare Kimmich mistake.
It mattered little, as Olise sealed the win by sliding in to cut out substitute Jobe Bellingham’s attempted goal-line clearance in the 79th. That move started with a brilliant cross-field ball from Kane for Díaz, whose cross Bellingham needed to clear.
Substitute Julian Brandt scored seconds after his introduction but Kane defended as Bayern held on for its 11th consecutive win across all competitions.
“We did well in the second half to kind of hang in in certain moments. We got the second goal. Disappointing to concede so quickly after, but ultimately it was about digging deep,” Kane said.
Bayern, the only undefeated team left, opened a five-point lead over Leipzig, while Dortmund dropped to fourth behind Stuttgart.
Leverkusen wins 7-goal spectacleÁlex Grimaldo scored twice and was booked for complaining as Bayer Leverkusen almost squandered a two-goal lead before beating Mainz 4-3. (AP)
