This is a Dortmund team that Bayern should be beating.
Bayern Munich returned to Bundesliga action following a midweek disappointment and only managed a draw against a poor Borussia Dortmund side. Which players performed well enough to give fans some hope heading into the second Champions League match against Inter Milan?
Jersey Swap: Gregor Kobel
Gregor Kobel had a solid match, making 9 saves and preventing 0.38 goals (FotMob). Kobel had the second most touches of any Dortmund player on the night, exemplifying the key role he played for the Black and Yellows. While Kobel played well, this award is also motivated by a literal goalkeeper swap likely leading to a completely different outcome for the match. While Jonas Urbig has proven to be excellent on the ball, his shot-stopping ability leaves a lot to be desired. Had Kobel been faced with claiming the ball prior to Maximilian Beier’s first goal, or even making the save from the header itself, that ball would not be going in the net.
Der Kaiser: Konrad Laimer
There were a few players in Bayern’s backline who played decently, and Raphaël Guerreiro took his goal well, but it’s another industrious performance from Konrad Laimer that snatches this award. Laimer was heavily involved going forward in the first half, making a total of 13 passes into the final third (FotMob). The Austrian was also involved in making eight recoveries and completed four defensive actions.
Fußballgott: Joshua Kimmich
Always heavily involved in proceedings, Kimmich beats out Leon Goretzka, who had an impressive defensive performance, for this award. Kimmich had the most touches of any player in the match, completed the most passes, achieved the highest amount of expected assists (0.42), the most amount of passes into the final third (18), and the most amount of accurate long balls (13/15) (FotMob). Kimmich’s involvement is hard to ignore. It might not have been the shiniest of performances, but he makes this team tick.
Der Bomber: Thomas Müller
With the lack of minutes Thomas Müller has been awarded this season, it can be easy to forget just how impactful the player can be when allowed to start games and have ample time to establish himself in the match. On top of his assist, Müller created four more chances throughout the match (FotMob). His backheel pass leading to a Harry Kane shot in the 11th minute was an excellent piece of skill, and was one of many moments where he successfully linked up with his teammates in the attacking third. Müller is far from washed, and deserves better treatment from the club.
Meister of the Match: Serge Gnabry
Five minutes. Five minutes is all it took for Serge Gnabry to change the game completely. After being subbed on in the 64th minute, Gnabry had an immediate impact. With an excellent move into the box from the left wing, Gnabry found Müller, who laid the ball off to Guerreiro to get Bayern back on level terms. Then, in the 69th minute, Gnabry made the Dortmund backline look like mere spectators as he wove through the center of the pitch and nestled the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Gnabry provided the exact injection Bayern’s attack needed. He continued to work hard for the remainder of the match, only misplacing one pass and completing 100% of his dribbles during his short time on the pitch (FotMob). Hopefully, Gnabry can bring this same level against Inter Milan for the second leg of Bayern’s Champions League tie.
