Bayern Munich back on top as Kobel clanger triggers Dortmund meltdown

B ayern Munich couldn’t have hoped for a more emphatic return to form on Saturday. The Bavarian giants welcomed apparent title rivals Borussia Dortmund to the Allianz Arena, and quickly reverted back to their traditional role as Bundesliga champions-elect– perennial architects of doom for any domestic rival that dare question their authority.

It was fitting their new head coach, Thomas Tuchel, enjoyed a perfect start to life in Munich through the clinical finishing of Thomas Müller, whose back-post finish and instinctual rebound bagged the second and third goals on the night, following an opening howler from the Dortmund keeper, Gregor Kobel. Not only had Müller been marginalised by Tuchel’s predecessor, Julian Nagelsmann, but he was also one of a handful of senior figures within the Bayern squad who remained unconvinced by the young tactician. That lingering apathy turned sour and led to the German giants cutting their losses and opting for Tuchel in rather dramatic fashion.

Back in his preferred No 10 role behind the main striker, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Müller reclaimed his role as Bayern’s chief orchestrator in attack and all-round cheerleader when off the ball. Weaving between the lines and evading Dortmund’s dazzled defence, the 33-year-old forward epitomised the gulf in technical talent and mental fortitude between the two teams. Jürgen Klopp was still calling the shots on the sideline the last time Dortmund won a league game in Munich, and Müller seemed adamant that “Der Klassiker” would remain as remarkably one-sided as it has been in recent memory.

“In the end, despite this 4-2, there wasn’t too much of a rebellion,” remarked Müller with a cheeky smile in front of the TV cameras. Undoubtedly, he was