Der Klassiker – A Significant Gap Emerges

In what was perhaps the most eagerly anticipated match of the season across Europe (in the eyes of this blog at least) the game itself highlighted the growing gap between Germany’s top two sides. Recent history would not have predicted the scoreline yet as the game went on, and changes were made, the gulf in depth and quality became clear. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been about Gotze, yet ultimately it was. As The Whitehouse Address argues, Bayern have achieved what they endeavoured by capturing the ex-Dortmund starlet, a psychological blow on their rivals.

Bayern, just in case you weren't sure confirmed that they are the best team in Europe. This game, like the one against Man City this season proved it. For those who doubted what Guardiola could bring and add to this team after such brilliance last season we are witnessing the ever-growing adaptation and improvement of Guardiola's style. Yet this was not a simple game, Dortmund could and should have got something out the game, yet Bayern would prove too much in the end.

These two sides have a history of either playing tight affairs, especially in the league. In games which have become high scoring ones Dortmund have more often come out victors, highlighting that Bayern when open can be more exposed. The odds were not on a Bayern victory based on previous results, yet this was not a normal game based on the injury crisis which has affected Dortmund in recent months. With the absence of some of their most key players, especially in what has been a consistent defence and holding midfield for the past few seasons, it was never going to be easy.

And so it turned out to be. An incredible result for Bayern and one which would ultimately embarrass and shame their northern rivals. In front of the 80,000 Dortmund fans it was a crushing blow to their hopes of challenging for the title and importantly competing against the riches of Munich. 

It was not the most enticing or exciting of games in the first 60 minutes, it was understandably cagey, cautious and scrappy. It was quite rigid and subdued from Bayern and although Dortmund created some chances they were not clear cut. And then came the tactical changes. 

The future of Bayern

Guardiola would succeed, he would do so in two ways; through innovation and through quality. To have the ability to bring on players of Thiago and Gotze’s class highlights the embarrassment of riches which Bayern and Guardiola possess. While both have suffered with injuries since they arrived it is significant that it was these two additions which transformed Bayern’s play and which produced the win.

Before the introduction of Gotze Bayern were using Mandzukic as their target man forward. As impressive as he was last season for Bayern (a player who this blog believed was key to their success) this is not the same environment or style which he prospered under. Under Guardiola he looks slow, predictable and makes Bayern look rigid. He is what Gomez is for Germany and in the same way as Loew is moulding his national team into a more fluid and interchangeable system, this is precisely what Bayern are moving to. 

A fluid front four is becoming the vision of many coaches and in this world of fluidity it is not surprising that Guardiola would anticipate this style. Gotze may have been a psychological blow to their rivals yet it is clear that he is the key piece to Guardiola’s desire. When he came on Bayern looked sharper, dynamic and became much harder to track and mark and this is what changed the game. 

A combination of Robben, Muller, Kroos and Gotze interchanged between the two wide roles and the 10 and 9 position. Guardiola is not playing a false nine but a rotating one. This is harder to deal with as players are pulling the defence laterally and deep. The space created between and behind the units became hard for Dortmund's defence. Dortmund’s makeshift defensive pairing were quite simply pulled apart by the movement and intelligence of Bayern in the final 30 mins.

It’s important to note that Gotze made a key impact on the game psychologically. His arrival may have been planned in order to do this, as well as make an impact on the fans and Dortmund. The fans made it personal and whole atmosphere changed when he came on. Perhaps it was inevitable that he would be the one who would break the deadlock. 

To do that on his return to Dortmund must have been sickening for the fans, team and Klopp. He didn’t even show the emotion I’m sure he felt when Gotze scored. He did not celebrate, yet why commend this, he chose to leave his club for Bayern, a decision which will never be forgiven. 

What Dortmund are missing

To score and change the game so markedly highlighted what Dortmund have missed this season and what Bayern have gained. Gotze was the world class star who helped Dortmund bridge the gap, his absence in these big games is showing. His movement, touch and sublime finish were that of a world class player and Dortmund were punished from their own product. That’s football though.

As for what followed, well to highlight what Dortmund had and lost and what they bought to replace came just a matter of minutes later. Dortmund penetrated behind with their typical deep run counter. A goal seemed destined and yet Mkhitaryan could not convert, he misjudged the cross, took a poor touch and Neuer ended up making the save. It is those moments which the top players need to take advantage of. 

And then Reus would be denied by Neuer too, this time with a great move which contained the impressive Lewandowski and great movement and shot from Reus, the save was world class and proved the difference. Not taking these chances cost Dortmund and they were ultimately punished.

The irony was that Bayern would punish them in transition, with a superb counter attack move. The vision and technical quality of Thiago found the deep run of Robben (whose positional freedom allowed him to be on the left) and he took the ball into the space with confidence and finished sublimely. Robben is proving to be the difference maker in these games versus Dortmund and really proving his quality. 

Thiago, like Gotze proved that this Bayern team will be moulded around these two Guardiola additions, a scary thought for the rest around Europe.

Bayern's future fluidity 

The final goal was painful and highlighted not only Bayern’s growing confidence and arrogance but Dortmund’s mental defeat. They have given up after that second goal, almost pained by Gotze and their lack of taking chances. It was not the Dortmund of last season, mentally. Losing Gotze has affected them, as well as the crisis of injuries which has plagued them. 

Yet I wanted to highlight the brilliance of Phillip Lahm, not only on this goal but in general. His brilliance in that central midfield area is a joy to behold, How many others could do what he has done? The pigeon holing of players occurs far too often in the professional game. It is not only refreshing but genius of Guardiola to see Lahm in that role and he is prospering there. 

Of course his assist for Muller’s goal came from when he moved back to right back as he was tasked with tracking and staying with the speed of Aubameyang. He found himself in the common position of exploiting Robben’s movement inside which saw him find lots of space and when receiving the ball had the vision and touch to find the waiting Muller. It was beautifully simple yet ruthless and like last season, that overlapping combination from the right proved clinical.

Ultimately the game changed because of what Guardiola could bring on and alter whereas Klopp was left with the limited and raw talents of Aubameyang  and Hofmann. Mkhitaryan has not done enough to impress in these big games as of yet and perhaps the only positive was the return of Lukas Piszczek (however with Bender being removed Dortmund suffered in the middle). 

Klopp merely highlighted his sides limitations, both tactically and technically. It was not a fair reflection of Dortmund because of the injuries and they did create chances, yet Bayern have simply too much quality and depth for Dortmund to seriously challenge. All across the team Bayern are stronger, with a multitude of world class talent, something Dortmund just cannot compete with. With the potential loss of Lewandowksi next summer it is a concern that we will not see the Dortmund of which captivated last season.

As for Bayern, the changes of players and style changed the game and proved the difference, and gave a glimpse of what the future does hold for this Bayern side. This blog wrote before about the fluidity and universality of which Guardiola is seeking to bring to the side. The fluid attack made the difference and with Ribery still to return the ‘fluid four’ will become much more of the norm with Gotze becoming a key part of that.      

The game and result was significant. It was a statement by Bayern and an admission from Dortmund that the gap between the two sides is getting wider. It takes away somewhat the excitement of the Bundesliga now yet the key concern is what the next few weeks holds for Dortmund. With Napoli arriving in the Champions League Dortmund must win and the pressure will be immense. Not qualifying for the knockout stages will be compound the crisis which Dortmund are going through. One hopes this is merely a case of bad fortune and that Klopp can re-ignite the team.    

The Whitehouse Address @The_W_Address

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