‚Klassiker‘: 81,90 % der Fans haben nicht mehr mit einem BVB-Comeback gerechnet

Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich drew 2-2 last Saturday evening in the so-called ‚Klassiker‘ after a hard-fought match. BVB showed both fighting spirit and comeback qualities, while Bayern are left to rue two dropped points. FanQ surveyed German football fans about the top match of the last Bundesliga matchday.

Supporters are divided on a potential red card for Bellingham

FC Bayern Munich let a seemingly certain victory slip away in the intense top match against Borussia Dortmund. Of all people, the BVB attacker Anthony Modeste, who is currently heavily criticised, was able to secure a late point for his team with a last-minute goal.

In the first half, most of the action took place in midfield. Both defences conceded little, meaning that the match was initially characterised by numerous intense duels and yellow cards on both sides. The ‚Black & Yellows‘ initially had the better chances. Malen's attempt was blocked by de Ligt in the 21st minute, four minutes later Upamecano had to save just outside his own box (25') and after just over half an hour Neuer had to fend off a long-range shot from Guerreiro (30'). It was in the middle of this phase that the record champions made their first dangerous run at the hosts' goal. After dribbling down the left-hand side of the penalty area, Musiala laid the ball off to Goretzka in the centre and the latter struck from 19 metres into the bottom left-hand corner to give Bayern a 1-0 lead (33'). Three minutes later, Malen failed to beat Neuer at the other end (36') and thus missed out on an immediate equaliser. Shortly before the half-time whistle, Bellingham caused a major upset. The BVB youngster, who had already been cautioned with a yellow card, tried to lob the ball over Davies, who was rushing in behind him, but the Canadian was quicker with his head on the ball, causing the Englishman to hit the Munich left-back in the face with his high leg (45'). Davies then had to be substituted with a suspected concussion. Referee Aytekin invoked his discretionary powers in his assessment of the scene and left it at a final warning for the 19-year-old, even though the visitors' players vehemently called for him to be sent off.

FCB coach Nagelsmann made three changes at the break, bringing on the recently recovered Kimmich and Coman for Sabitzer and Gnabry and Stanisic for the head-injured Davies. The reigning champions took control of the game right from the start. After a huge chance was missed by Mané, the quick 2:0 was not long in coming. It was Musiala again, this time feeding Sané. He shot from 20 metres out and Dortmund keeper Meyer was able to get a touch to the ball, but could not prevent the second goal (53'). Eleven minutes later, Sané almost returned the favour by laying the ball off to Musiala in the opposition five-yard box. However, the FCB talent was unable to beat the rushing Meyer from close range (64'). The fact that Bayern missed the 3:0 was to take its revenge shortly afterwards. Firstly, after a hook against Upamecano, joker Modeste laid the ball off into the back to strike partner Moukoko, who took the ball 14 metres in front of the opponent's box and then confidently slotted it home to make it 1:2 (75'). Modeste, who had been heavily criticised recently, then had the equaliser on his feet following a feed from Adeyemi. However, the 34-year-old missed the ball five metres from the FCB goal and Neuer was only just able to make the save (83'). Nevertheless, the record champions kept the hosts in the game. In the 90th minute, substitute Coman, who had already been cautioned, was shown a yellow card for a tactical foul on Adeyemi and Bayern were down to ten men in the final phase. And it was unlucky Modeste of all people who made up for his gaffe, scoring with his head from close range after a perfectly timed feed from BVB centre-back Schlotterbeck to make the final score 2:2.

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It was the crowning moment of a comeback that very few people still believed in. As many as 81.90% of participants in a corresponding FanQ survey stated that they no longer thought Dortmund capable of such a comeback. Only 16.38% of those surveyed claimed to have still believed in a draw, despite the 0-2 deficit and the growing dominance of FCB.

Nevertheless, the majority of supporters believe the draw was fair. In another survey by FanQ, over half (52.51 %) of German football fans state that the 2-2 draw was acceptable overall. In contrast, 21.23 %of those surveyed think a Bayern victory would have been fairer, while 13.97 % of the survey participants feel Borussia Dortmund deserved the three points.

Given the good interplay between the two Dortmund goalscorers, FanQ also asked football fans in Germany whether Youssoufa Moukoko and Anthony Modeste should play together more often in attack. Over half (54.92 %) of the survey participants think this suggestion is a good idea. Just under a quarter (24.92 %) of respondents, however, are of the opinion that Moukoko should be the sole attacker, as he was in the last two BVB matches in Seville and against Bayern. Only 1.64 %of respondents are of the opinion that Terzic should rely on Modeste as the sole attacking target once again.

The aforementioned action by Dortmund's midfield jewel Jude Bellingham shortly before the break also provided plenty of material for discussion. While referee Deniz Aytekin had decided not to show the BVB youngster a yellow card after he unintentionally kicked Alphonso Davies in the head, he sent off Bayern winger Kingsley Coman in the final minute. One day later, on Sport1-Doppelpass, the referee referred to Bellingham's first caution as a „can-yellow-card“ and referred to his discretionary powers when the Englishman fouled the Bayern left-back in the 45th minute. At the same time, however, he also showed understanding for Bayern's criticism. „Perhaps it was a touch too much empathy,“ he explained. These comments in turn prompted Oliver Kahn, FCB's CEO, to take offence. „Where was Deniz Aytekin's empathy with the yellow card for Kingsley Coman?“ he asked via Twitter. The referee responded during the programme. Bellingham's kick to the head of Davies was „an unfortunate situation“, while he said Coman's tactical foul was „clearly intentional“. According to him, his hands would have been tied in this scene.

FanQ has picked up on the widely discussed incident and asked German football fans whether referee Deniz Aytekin should have sent off the 19-year-old BVB youngster for his offence against the Canadian. The supporters are divided on this matter. Thus, 41.56 % of the people who participated in the poll believe that the tackle by the 17-time England international should have resulted in a yellow-red card. In contrast, 34.42 % of those surveyed think it was perfectly fine for the official to use his discretion and not give Bellingham his marching orders.