Bayern Munich News: The aftermath of FC Bayern’s wild 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker

Bayern Munich players including Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane celebrate with their fans after the German first division Bundesliga football match between BVB Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich in Dortmund, western Germany, on February 28, 2026. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP via

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Die Folgen: Bayern’s 3-2 win over BVB (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich pulled out a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.

It was a game full of wild swings and also a match that left some fans conflicted. Sure, Bayern Munich gutted out the win, but there were also some areas of concern that have more than a few supporters on edge.

All that said, Bayern Munich got the three points and can move forward with a very comfortable 11-point lead in the Bundesliga:

As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:

There was very little surprise to this group — except that there was another omission for Jamal Musiala. The talented youngster has not looked like himself (as expected), but it raises the question as to why he was brought back so soon if he was not ready to start playing serious minutes. Musiala himself talked about his struggles in not being able to do what he was accustomed to do on the pitch. He should take as much time as needed, but it is clear he came back too soon. Otherwise, Konrad Laimer re-entered the lineup and teamed up with Josip Stanišić to man the outside-back positions for head coach Vincent Kompany.
Entering Der Klassiker, Musiala made eight appearances for Bayern Munich since coming back on January 17th against RB Leipzig. Musiala has totaled 266 minutes, but has not looked right and has not been a fit into the attack as of yet. Hopefully, he is getting the rest and individual work he needs to be ready when the team needs him. Musiala would enter the match and play 28 minutes in the second half.
Both teams spent the early part of the game attempting to take control, but the Bavarians had a slight advantage.
Right around the 16th minute, Nico Schlotterbeck went in studs up against Stanišić, but did make contact with the ball first. That sparked a long decision-making process, which resulted in a yellow for the defender (many felt it should have been red card). While the replay looked pretty bad, Stanišić was able to get up and play on.
The game was not aesthetic by any means through 25 minutes.
In the 26th minute, though, Borussia Dortmund would break through. A set-piece delivery from the left-side by the left-footed Daniel Svensson found the head of Schlotterbeck, who was in full villain mode. The rangy center-back perfectly placed his header after evading Jonathan Tah for a 1-0 BVB lead.
Players like Michael Olise and Konrad Laimer did not look fully healthy. Olise, in particular, really struggled. Meanwhile Laimer was on the left-side, unable to help his mate.
Emre Can went down in the 38th minute with what looked to be a knee injury, but after a scare, he popped back up before eventually having to leave. Initially, it looked bad, but it is hard to say exactly what the issue is aside of it being a knee injury. There is speculation that it could be ACL-related.
Karim Adeyemi…I don’t get it.
Sometimes, it flies under the radar that Harry Kane is awesome.
In the 52nd minute, Gnabry played a perfect ball across the goal to Upamecano, who inexplicably missed it. That should have easily knotted the game. Gnabry might have been offside anyway.
Finally, Bayern Munich would get on the scoreboard. Kimmich chipped a ball into Gnabry, who headed it to Kane, who came through with a tough finish in the 54th minute.
Bayern Munich’s goal seemed to open the game up a bit for both sides.
Olise was just completely off. He did not look like himself at all. Svensson’s defensive work on him was pretty stellar as well.
In the 68th minute, Stanišić, whose offensive ability has been slammed all season, drew a PK when he beat Schlotterbeck and caused the defender to stick out his leg. It was…a little weak as far as hard contact goes, but it was deserved, and not a play than an experienced veteran like Schlotterbeck should make. Kane, of course, stepped to the spot and drilled it home even though Gregor Kobel guessed right and got a piece of it. All of a sudden, Bayern Munich was back on top.
In the 83rd minute, Marcel Sabitzer whipped in a long diagonal cross from the right side to Svensson who volleyed in a terrific goal to make it 2-2. What a game for Svensson.
On the play, both Upamecano (no clue why) and Tah covered Serhou Guirassy and left Svensson all alone. Maybe Stanišić could have done better in covering Svensson, but it sure looked like it was Upamecano’s responsibility. Notably, Stanišić immediately turned to Upamecano since it was his fault. It was not great organization on the backline at all for Bayern Munich. That was Upamecano’s play to make and he made the wrong decision to double team Guirassy, who had no chance of getting the ball.
To compound the craziness, Bayern Munich applied some pressure via Luis Díaz and Olise before a clearing header did not have enough juice on it. As it floated, Kimmich swept under it and nailed a left-footed (!?) volley to give Bayern Munich the lead once again!
Bayern Munich would stave off a final rush from Borussia Dortmund and walk out the victors.
Overall, this was a weird game. Bayern Munich was outworked and outplayed in the first half, but gutted out a much stronger second half to secure the win. It was not pretty, though there were some very pretty goals. Sometimes you just have to battle through these kinds of games. BVB was motivated, physical, and looking to make this a brawl. In all honesty, the #ScumbagGene was present, but the Bavarians showed their own grit. What does it mean moving forward? Maybe not much. Bayern Munich will have to be better as the stakes get higher and hopefully this — at least — has the squad believing in itself and its mentality. That kind of confidence and perseverance will come in handy down the stretch.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Alisson to Juve? (ESPN)

Liverpool FC goalkeeper Alisson could be considering a jump to Juventus:

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is on the radar of Juventus, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Bianconeri have reportedly added the 33-year-old Brazil international to their shortlist as they search for a solution at No. 1 amid issues with Michele Di Gregorio and Mattia Perin, with belief that an opportunity to sign him could emerge when he enters the final year of his contract at Anfield in the summer. Alisson, who was signed from AS Roma in 2018, has remained the starter for the Reds this season despite their acquisition of substitute goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, and he is the latest player to be linked with a switch to the Serie A side, who are also looking at Tottenham Hotspur’s Guglielmo Vicario.

Ginter nearly went to Bayern (Copa TS via @iMiaSanMia_GER)

Back in 2014, Matthias Ginter was a prized, young defender looking to venture away from SC Freiburg. Ginter had talks with Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and…Bayern Munich and recently spoke about how that process worked out.

“Back then, I spoke on the phone with Lucien Favre (then at Gladbach), with Jürgen Klopp (then at Dortmund), and I also met once with Matthias Sammer, who was sports director at Bayern at the time,” Ginter said. “Bayern then more or less withdrew. At that time they were looking at a very young or an experienced player as their fourth centre-back. Bayern then chose an experienced one with Mehdi Benatia.”

Ginter, of course, landed with Dortmund and eventually moved to Gladbach. Ginter is now back at SC Freiburg.

Stones to Everton? (ESPN)

Just a few weeks ago, Manchester City defender John Stones was linked to Bayern Munich, but Everton might be willing to take a run at the 31-year-old:

Everton are considering an approach for Manchester City defender John Stones. Football Insider reports that the Toffees are open to signing the 31-year-old on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer, but there are concerns that a deal could be complex due to the likelihood of him demanding a notable signing-on fee and the fact he has struggled with injury recently. The report adds that it looks increasingly likely that Stones will leave the Etihad Stadium, which would end a spell marginally shy of 10 years after he arrived there from Goodison Park in August 2016.

Real wants Rodri…badly (Radio Marca’s Ramón Álvarez de Mon)

Real Madrid would like to bring in Manchester City defensive midfielder Rodri pretty badly — if he’s fully healthy:

🚨Rodri is the midfielder Real Madrid wants.

The Madrid-based team will assess his physical condition until the World Cup.

It is estimated that he could cost around 50 million.

Collins has list of suitors (ESPN)

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nnamdi Collins is getting some big time interest in the transfer market:

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford have all made checks on Eintracht Frankfurt right-back Nnamdi Collins, according to TeamTalk. Arsenal, in particular, are impressed by the 22-year-old and see similarities to Ben White, although Frankfurt have a strong negotiating position as Collins’ contract runs until 2030. Fellow Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown has also been heavily scouted with Manchester United having looked at the 22-year-old.

Reus re-ups through 2027 (LA Galaxy)

Former Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus has extended his deal with the LA Galaxy for another season:

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…