Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund return to Bundesliga winning ways

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both bounced back from last weekend’s Der Klassiker draw with victories in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Bayern maintained top spot with a 2-1 win away to Mainz at the Mewa Arena, while Borussia Dortmund beat Elversberg by the same score at Signal Iduna Park.

Bayern hold on against Mainz

The defending champions dominated the opening stages and went ahead in the 14th minute when Joshua Kimmich finished from distance after being set up by Harry Kane.

Bayern controlled much of the first half but could not extend their lead. Mainz appeared to have equalised when Jae-Sung Lee headed in from Nadiem Amiri’s free-kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Bayern goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer was then replaced because of an injury shortly before half-time.

Vincent Kompany’s side continued to dictate the match after the interval, although clear opportunities were difficult to create. They eventually doubled their advantage in the 57th minute, with Kane providing his second assist of the game for Lennart Karl to score.

Both teams made several changes after the hour mark, but Mainz reduced the deficit deep into stoppage time. Philip Tietz flicked Benedict Hollerbach’s cross into the net.

The hosts could not find a second goal, leaving Bayern with a hard-fought victory and an unbeaten league record.

“We’re pleased that we won,” said Bayern assistant coach Aaron Danks.

“We’re a little disappointed to have conceded the goal at the end, but we know it’s always a tough game here at Mainz. We had to suffer at times, but we were well prepared and stood our ground well, so we’re very happy to come away with a hard-fought away win.”

Nmecha double secures Dortmund points

Felix Nmecha scored twice as Borussia Dortmund overcame Elversberg 2-1.

The first half was cautious, with Fabio Silva and Nmecha going closest around the half-hour mark but both failing to hit the target. Both sides also had to make substitutions because of injuries.

Dortmund started the second half positively. Jobe Bellingham missed an opportunity within the opening minute, while Elversberg’s Francis Onyeka headed wide soon afterwards.

The hosts took the lead in the 55th minute when Nmecha produced a composed left-footed finish. Gregor Kobel then made an excellent save to deny Lukas Petkov from a long-range free-kick.

Nmecha struck again in the 71st minute, powering the ball home after a swift counter-attack and an initial effort from Fabio Silva.

Elversberg substitute Noel Futkeu pulled one back with a spectacular overhead kick, but Dortmund held on for three points.

“This is very much a hard-fought victory for us,” said BVB coach Niko Kovac. “In the first half, we struggled to put together the kind of plays we had envisioned, but Elversberg also defended very well.

“In the second half, we really found our way into the game. The two-zero lead was well-deserved at that point. Then we again started doing what I don’t like. We didn’t keep playing and didn’t go for the third goal. We came under pressure because we gave the ball away too easily. That wasn’t good. That said, we gave it our all.”

RB Leipzig beat Augsburg 5-2 after Anton Kade gave the visitors a first-minute lead. Ezechiel Banzuzi, Christopher Nkunku and David Raum turned the game around before half-time, with Romulo and Christoph Baumgartner adding further goals after the break. Uchenna Ogundu scored in injury time for Augsburg.

Paderborn drew 2-2 with 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt at the Home Deluxe Arena. Jonathan Burkardt gave Frankfurt the lead in the 23rd minute, Raphael Obermair equalised just before half-time and Marvin Pieringer put Paderborn ahead from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. Burkardt rescued a point with a stoppage-time equaliser.